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The New Wave Of Feminism In Film

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This new femme fatale was smarter and less restrained sexually. And this time, she didn’t need a man to do her dirty work. Reflecting the new wave of feminism, these femme fatales didn’t need to rely on men for anything. The confidence these women had in themselves was often demonstrated in how they gazed at themselves in the mirror. These “mirror shots” are a common film technique used in film noir and reveal the woman’s self-absorbed nature (Synder 7). Another example of this self-confidence which borders on self-obsession is Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and the countless pictures of herself she has scattered all over her mansion. Instead of always gazing at men and looking to them to fulfill their needs, femme fatales were looking …show more content…
Segregation had long been abolished and interracial marriages and relationships were starting to be widely accepted. Prejudice still existed among some of the population, but the country as a whole was working towards racial equality, and African American women were making their mark in all areas of society, including entertainment. No longer were femme fatales strictly played by caucasian women. Women of different ethnicities started to hit the scene, as was seen seen in the casting of the character Gabriel Shear in the film Swordfish. The strong, sensuous woman was played by the actress Halle Berry who is of mixed ethnicity. Berry also secured the role of Catwoman in the 2004 film. She played the iconic character, full of mystery and sex-appeal, who often took the law into her own …show more content…
In addition, she didn’t need a man to do her dirty work and often accomplished her plan in the end. This mirrored the evolution in American women, as they were beginning to embrace their sexuality and relying less on men as they were confidently finding their own place in society. And the fact that they were not always destroyed in the end validates the fact that men in America were starting to accept the new roles women were taking in society and didn’t need to chastise them for their

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