4 months ago

@nextstep <br /> <br /> The way I remember that this is a good movie is by asking myself this question (disclaimer: Marilyn Monroe doesn't have anything to do with this movie).<br /> <br /> What do the death of Marilyn Monroe and the movie "Cléo from 5 to 7" (1962) have in common, and how are they connected?<br /> <br /> !!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO REAL SPOILERS, SAFE TO READ, BUT BETTER IF YOU SEEN THE MOVIE FIRST :)<br /> <br /> Marilyn Monroe's death and the movie "Cléo from 5 to 7" (1962), directed by Agnès Varda, share thematic connections and historical context that intertwine them in interesting ways:<br /> <br /> ### Thematic Connections:<br /> <br /> 1. **Existential Anxiety and Fear of Death:**<br /> - **Marilyn Monroe:** Monroe's life and career were marked by personal struggles, public scrutiny, and a deep sense of vulnerability. Her death in 1962 was ruled as a probable suicide, and it highlighted the intense pressures she faced.<br /> - **Cléo from 5 to 7:** The film follows Cléo, a young singer in Paris, over a two-hour period as she anxiously awaits the results of a medical test for cancer. The film delves into her existential fears, the fragility of life, and her evolving perception of herself and her surroundings.<br /> <br /> 2. **Female Identity and Public Persona:**<br /> - **Marilyn Monroe:** Monroe's public persona as a glamorous, desirable star often overshadowed her true self and inner turmoil. Her struggle to reconcile her public image with her private identity is a poignant aspect of her legacy.<br /> - **Cléo from 5 to 7:** Cléo grapples with her identity as a pop singer and a woman. The film explores how she is perceived by others versus how she perceives herself, touching on themes of beauty, superficiality, and the search for authenticity.<br /> <br /> ### Historical Context:<br /> <br /> 1. **1960s Parisian Influence:**<br /> - **Monroe's Death:** Monroe died in August 1962, an event that shocked the world and underscored the dark side of fame and the American dream.<br /> - **Cléo from 5 to 7:** Released in 1962, the film is a quintessential example of the French New Wave, a cinematic movement characterized by its innovative style and focus on contemporary issues, including the role of women in society. It captures the zeitgeist of early 1960s Paris, a city that was a cultural epicenter at the time.<br /> <br /> 2. **Impact on Culture and Feminism:**<br /> - **Marilyn Monroe:** Monroe's life and death have been the subject of numerous analyses, especially in feminist discourse. She is often cited as a symbol of the exploitation and objectification of women in Hollywood.<br /> - **Cléo from 5 to 7:** Agnès Varda, a pioneering female director, uses the film to explore themes of female empowerment and the male gaze, making it a significant feminist text. The film is lauded for its portrayal of a woman's inner life and the societal expectations placed upon her.<br /> <br /> ### Conclusion:<br /> <br /> Both Marilyn Monroe and "Cléo from 5 to 7" reflect the complexities of female identity, the pressures of public life, and the existential fears that accompany them. Monroe's tragic end and Cléo's anxious journey resonate with themes of mortality and the quest for self-understanding, making them culturally and thematically intertwined in the context of the early 1960s.