Casablanca: Film Panel Discussion (Zoom)
Tuesday, January 6 | 7:00 PM
Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, is pleased to present a panel discussion of the critically acclaimed film Casablanca on Zoom.
About the Film
A 1940s classic widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, Casablanca features what is now recognized as an all-star cast, including Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet.
Although the film contains no battle scenes and only a small body count, Casablanca remains one of the most powerful war films of all time. Its impact lies in the values it portrays—courage, sacrifice, and resistance in the face of totalitarianism. This power is deepened by a supporting cast that included real-life European refugees who required no acting to convey their hatred of the Nazi regime.
Behind the Scenes
Casablanca was based on the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick’s by Murray Burnett and Joan Allison. Producer Hal B. Wallis acquired the rights for $20,000—a record sum at the time. Screenwriters Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch were famously still writing dialogue on set, often just moments before scenes were filmed. Some of the most memorable lines, including “Here’s looking at you, kid,” were improvised.
Story Overview
Set during the early days of World War II, the film takes place in Casablanca, French Morocco, a city portrayed as a transit point for refugees desperate to escape Nazi-occupied Europe.
At the center of the story is Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who owns the popular Rick’s Café American. Rick appears cynical and nonpolitical, but he carries emotional scars from a failed romance in Paris with Ilsa Lund. When Ilsa unexpectedly arrives in Casablanca with her husband, Victor Laszlo, a leader of the Czech resistance, Rick is forced to confront both his past and his values.
Seeking rare letters of transit to escape to America, Ilsa and Victor become entangled in the intrigues surrounding Rick’s café. The story culminates in Rick’s moral choice: to escape with the woman he loves or to help Ilsa and Victor flee, aiding the fight against the Nazis.
Themes and Relevance
“Casablanca explores themes like love, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity in a time of war,” says Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of SJCA. “It combines personal drama with broader political issues, making it a compelling narrative.”
Although made for a wartime audience, the film’s message resonates strongly today. As authoritarianism rises globally and war once again threatens Europe amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Casablanca reminds us that moral choices matter—even when outcomes are uncertain.
The film ends on a hopeful note. Rick makes a noble sacrifice, forsaking personal happiness to support a greater cause. It is a message that has endured for generations and remains as meaningful today as it was upon the film’s release in November 1942.
Pre-registration is required.
To register, visit:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/oDks8Bp/Casablanc