ReportSuggest An Edit

West Side Story: How Music Creates Racial Tension

by Inside the Score

While West Side Story is known for famous hits like “Maria,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,” “Tonight,” and “Somewhere,” the film’s music also has a deeper narrative function. In this video essay, Inside the Score takes a closer look at how Leonard Bernstein’s music, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is structured to emphasize social division, and racial hierarchy within the film.

West Side Story

Directed by

Up Next
On the Waterfront - Aspect Ratio Visual Essay
Bycriterioncollection
Stop Making Sense: Think Of It As A Musical, Not A Concert Film | Film Analysis
ByTake Me To Your Cinema
How to Write a Scene: Casablanca
ByStorytellers
Explaining the References, Homages, and Inspirations in La La Land
ByThe Jaunty Professor
Up Next
On the Waterfront - Aspect Ratio Visual Essay
By criterioncollection
Stop Making Sense: Think Of It As A Musical, Not A Concert Film | Film Analysis
By Take Me To Your Cinema
How to Write a Scene: Casablanca
By Storytellers
Explaining the References, Homages, and Inspirations in La La Land
By The Jaunty Professor

Pitch Box

The Pitch Box is a open call for you to pitch an idea you have for a video essay. Interested in the way Kubrick uses color in A Clockwork Orange or how to use dialogue in an opening scene? Tell us what you want to see.

I pitched my idea, now what?

Our goal is to get your pitches made, either by creators or as 8hours original content, coming soon to our site.

Do you really need my email?

Once your idea gets picked up, we’ll notify you by e-mail!