In this essay I consider how the study of "classic" Hollywood cinema has shaped film studies and in particular gender film studies. I take the case of 1930s Hollywood cinema to show how cinema contributed in fundamental ways to represent the "modern American woman" and modern lifestyles. More specifically, the 1930s is a good example to show how Hollywood cinema has gone through formidable changes in the representation of femininity. While in the early 1930s the image of the self-assertive and emancipated woman still dominates the screen, in the second part of the decade cinema 's take on gender dynamics goes back to more traditional modes. I pursue this investigation by engaging both theoretical assumptions and historical frameworks, that is, by considering both the cinematic imaginary and film language.
Pravadelli, V. (2016). Classic Hollywood and modernity: gender, style, aesthetics. In P.P. E. A. Kaplan (a cura di), The Routledge Companion to Cinema and Gender (pp. 361-371). London and New York : Routledge.
Classic Hollywood and modernity: gender, style, aesthetics
Pravadelli Veronica
2016-01-01
Abstract
In this essay I consider how the study of "classic" Hollywood cinema has shaped film studies and in particular gender film studies. I take the case of 1930s Hollywood cinema to show how cinema contributed in fundamental ways to represent the "modern American woman" and modern lifestyles. More specifically, the 1930s is a good example to show how Hollywood cinema has gone through formidable changes in the representation of femininity. While in the early 1930s the image of the self-assertive and emancipated woman still dominates the screen, in the second part of the decade cinema 's take on gender dynamics goes back to more traditional modes. I pursue this investigation by engaging both theoretical assumptions and historical frameworks, that is, by considering both the cinematic imaginary and film language.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.