Sunset Boulavard presentation
Transcript: Sunset Boulevard- Age and Gender Roles 02 01 Author's Intention Film Techhniques Literary techniques Age and Gender Roles Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing was used in the film when Norma had a suicide attempt, foreshadowing her near future of her downward spiral into mental illness and hysteria. Her spiral into that illness came from years of the meglection from the hollywood business on her role and place as a "star" in their business, as she also aged and was a female she was considered easier to replace and was reffered to as "old" and "retired". Chiaroscuro lighting: Chiaroscuro lighting is a technique that utilises a low-key lighting setup to achieve contrast between the subject and a dark background. This technique is used in Sunset boulevard to enhance the film's noir aesthetic, In relation to the age and gender roles displayed in Sunset Boulevard by Norma Desmond, the use of Chiaroscuro light displayed a spotlight on her many times throughout the film, making her stand out to the audience, however, with the light that shone on her, she still had no actual authority or power in the hollywood business. Author's intent: Throughout the film the director, Billy Wilder, takes a jab at the poor treatment of women in Hollywood as they age, and exposes the gender roles of working individuals in Hollywood at the time. During the 1950's males dominated the job scene and this is shown through Sunset Boulevard. This exposing of gender roles is made so that the audience is aware of the dynamic and the improper distribution of job opportunities. Wilder takes on a critical tone towards the power dynamic and also takes on this critical tone towards the issue of ageing, especially for women. Wilder wants his audience to acknowledge the poor treatment of ageing actresses in Hollywood and how they are forgotten so easily, and he also wants them to feel angry at this injustice. Wilder is not passive in his tone and he wants the audience to feel the impact that this social construct has taken, on the lives of many. The movie 'Sunset Boulevard' directed by Billy Wilder takes on many themes all throughout the film, one main theme being age and gender roles. Gender roles is shown through the roles assumed by men compared to the roles assumed by women. The men in Sunset Boulevard take on dominant roles and positions of authority, however the relationship dynamic of Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis do not conform to this male dominated norm. Norma Desmond holds the upper hand in the relationship between her and Gillis, which is shadowed by manipulation and control. Sunset Boulevard addresses the issue/theme of ageing, especially for women. Youth and beauty are the capturing characteristics of women and this has a negative impact on film actresses, like Norma Desmond who are past their prime ago of "youth and beauty". Although Desmond is not aware, her days of fame are behind her and this can be linked to her increase in age. Major Conflict: Major conflict is shown when Norma believes shes a great and beloved star, but the film business had drastically evolved and left her behind, leaving her largely forgotten. The tension between the new industry and Norma’s delusions provoke self-destructive behaviours, from the cause of her also being unemployed in any further films because of her age, showing that her “era” is over. Deep shadows: Deep shadows are used in Sunset Boulevard to display a character in a main light while the background consists of characters in the shadows behind. The role of gender plays a part in the display of shadows in Sunset Boulevard from when Norma Desmond visits the Hollywood set, and men were notablly more visible. Interpretation of quotes Quotes (age and gender roles) 05 07 Scene Scirpt- Think about the theme of Age! How is it demonstrated in this scene? Scene Anaylsis 1- "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." - Norma Desmond 2- "There's nothing tragic about being fifty. Not unless you're trying to be twenty-five." - Norma Desmond 3- "You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big." - Joe Gillis 4- "I am big. It's the pictures that got small." - Norma Desmond 5- "You don't yell at a sleepwalker – he may fall and break his neck. That's it: she was still sleepwalking along the giddy heights of a lost career." - Joe Gillis 6- “My father was head electrician here ‘til he died. Mother still works in wardrobe.” - Betty Schaefer In this scene the relationship between Sheldrake and the women that works for him demonstrates the power dynamic that. Sheldrake has a large office, showing off all his trophies and things he has acquired over the years. In another scene, the audience sees Betty's office which is very small compared to Sheldrake's office, and Betty's office had previously been a dressing room, showing the major difference between a woman and man in the same field of work, highlighting the dominance males had. In the current scene being analysed Sheldrake takes his
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