Mirror, Mirror: Disrupting Cinema in "Cléo from 5 to 7" (1962) and "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" (2014)

Authors

Stephanie M. Janania, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

English

First Advisor's Name

Anne Margaret Castro

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Andrew Strycharski

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Michael Grafals

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

feminist, gender, and sexuality studies, film and media studies, other English language and literature

Date of Defense

3-25-2020

Abstract

“Mirror, Mirror” deconstructs the concept of mirror-like cinema: a cinema that relies on realistic elements and seamless editing for viewers to identify with. Mirror-like cinema dominates mainstream films creating a mirror and a reflection where women can be marginalized and objectified. Through the women directed films “Cléo from 5 to 7” (1962) and “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” (2014) identification with the cinematic reflection is challenged. Both films seemingly show Jacque Lacan’s concept of the mirror stage, but disrupt the reflection through their editing, mise en scène, and the actions of their women protagonists. These disruptions exemplify the mirror being fragmented thus proving film is not always a reflection but can be a representation of one’s subjective reality.

Identifier

FIDC008976

Recommended Citation

Janania, Stephanie M., "Mirror, Mirror: Disrupting Cinema in "Cléo from 5 to 7" (1962) and "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" (2014)" (2020). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4405.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4405