OK, here is my theory: we are all being too literal about the tapes. The tapes are metaphors.
What did the tapes show? Nothing but a picture of where Georges and Anne lived. The tapes simply reflected back reality, nothing more or less. It forced modern France to look at itself in a mirror.
What we saw was idyllic, quaint, intellectual and beautiful. But let's go beyond that. It is also deeply conflicted and deeply dysfunctional. Like France, Georges is uncomfortable with the modern world he has a TV show about books for Christ's sake!! He and his family go through the motions of modern life, but are barely connected. Their lives, while at first glance look fine, are not. His wife is at least thinking about having an affair, Georges is incredibly self-absorbed. Modern France, while looking wealthy and healthy, is anything but. France itself is a seemingly beautiful country with many deep seeded problems.
Then the 'tapes' force us to take a look at Algeria (Majid's apartment, or where he lived.) It is not nearly as wealthy. It is poor and run down. Majid could have been successful, but France (i.e. Georges) treated him so badly. This ruined his chances for success.
Georges (France) is unwilling and incapable of admitting any responsibility or guilt for Majid's (Algeria's) plight. Algeria is a wreck, and, perversely, wants France to share in its pain. France (Georges) will never find peace until it admits its guilt and responsibility.
But the movie ends with hope. The future (Pierrot and Majid's son) is bright. The two sons are friends. Algeria has nothing to be ashamed of, France has a lot to be ashamed of, but the two will put the past behind them and become friends. Very positive ending.
What did the tapes show? Nothing but a picture of where Georges and Anne lived. The tapes simply reflected back reality, nothing more or less. It forced modern France to look at itself in a mirror.
What we saw was idyllic, quaint, intellectual and beautiful. But let's go beyond that. It is also deeply conflicted and deeply dysfunctional. Like France, Georges is uncomfortable with the modern world he has a TV show about books for Christ's sake!! He and his family go through the motions of modern life, but are barely connected. Their lives, while at first glance look fine, are not. His wife is at least thinking about having an affair, Georges is incredibly self-absorbed. Modern France, while looking wealthy and healthy, is anything but. France itself is a seemingly beautiful country with many deep seeded problems.
Then the 'tapes' force us to take a look at Algeria (Majid's apartment, or where he lived.) It is not nearly as wealthy. It is poor and run down. Majid could have been successful, but France (i.e. Georges) treated him so badly. This ruined his chances for success.
Georges (France) is unwilling and incapable of admitting any responsibility or guilt for Majid's (Algeria's) plight. Algeria is a wreck, and, perversely, wants France to share in its pain. France (Georges) will never find peace until it admits its guilt and responsibility.
But the movie ends with hope. The future (Pierrot and Majid's son) is bright. The two sons are friends. Algeria has nothing to be ashamed of, France has a lot to be ashamed of, but the two will put the past behind them and become friends. Very positive ending.