Impressionistic Vision of the Color-line Problem in Rebecca Hall's Film Adaptation (2021) of Nella Larsen's "Passing"(1929)

Abstract

"Passing" is the most controversial film adaptation by Rebecca Hall (2021) of Nella Larsen's novella (1929) with the same title. The winner of (2022) "Independent Spirit Award" for "Best Cinematography" has achieved unexpected success though it has been produced in black and white. Hence, this article aims to investigate the secret of this success exploring the phenomenon of passing and the color-line problem; their racist implications and camouflaged types. The misunderstanding of the African-American identity and their Double conscious diagnosed by Du Boi has developed different and contrasting shades of inner and outer social conflict in the USA in terms of black and white, submission and rejection, self-satisfaction and self-hatred, staying and passing. The importance of this article then lies in recalling the color-line problem as the main problem of the 20th century which unfortunately seemed to be unsolved in the 21st century through Larsen's literary impressionistic vision and Hall's impressionistic cinematography treatment. Therefore, the researcher has traced the literary impressionist techniques in both Larsen's novella and Hall's film adaptation to expose some personal, social, racial, and political viewpoints that reflect two different generations' visions. Finally, the conclusion has asserted that the color-line problem is ongoing and that the fair fight against racial injustice will not come to an end unless having all these segregation walls demolished inwardly and outwardly.