HUM-3321 Lecture 10: Place- Women in Film Noir
Document Summary
Men need to control women"s sexuality in order not to be destroyed by it . This myth is expressed in two ways: Through the expressive and sensual style which dramatically portrays female sexuality, producing the dominant images of the film. Are characterized by subject matter and iconography. Are capable of expressing a wide range of ideologies. Are largely limited to a particular time period. Visual style is characterized by the expressive use of darkness through the use of night-scenes, shadows, mirrors, silhouettes, and seedy environments. Dominates the camera early, but is ultimately relegated to immobility. Self-interest over devotion to a man is often the original sin of the film noir woman and metaphor for the threat her sexuality represents to him . Mirrors- symbolize the spider woman"s duplicitous nature. Offers the possibility of integration for the alienated, lost man into the stable world of secure values, roles, and identities.
