How Does the Mise-En-Scene in Sunset Boulevard Help to Shape the Representation of Gender?

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How does the Mise-en-scene in Sunset Boulevard help to shape the representation of Gender? Gender has always been a prevalent factor in cinema, especially in the American film industry and Hollywood, of which seems content on portraying women as being forever youthful. Richard Barsam and Dave Monahan in their book looking at movies, an introduction to film describe older actresses in the American film industry as scarce, sighting “ audiences show little interest in women older than forty-five” and the notable actresses that have been able to appear in films past middle age “ have taken roles as stereotyped eccentrics, where the camp value of their performance translates into the triumph statement, ‘I’m still here!” However, when this is applied to Gloria Swanson’s portrayal of faded star Norma Desmond, Swanson’s overdramatic acting is all the more poignant as she herself was once one of the greatest stars of the silent era. Indeed Sunset boulevard is at it’s a core, a comment on the coldness of the Hollywood system, most notably it’s ability to move on and leave stars like baggage, especially actresses. Throughout Sunset Boulevard, the mise-en-scene constantly plays with ideas of gender stereotypes offering a reflective look at a patriarchal Hollywood that disposes of stars as quickly as it makes them. The Mise-en-scene of the sequence beginning at 29mins and 30seconds is notably visually intriguing, and through it’s use of character placement and mise-en-scene the sequence helps to shape the films representation of gender. The sequence beings with Norma leading Joe into her private screening room, so the two can enjoy Desmonds film Queen Kelly together. An initial wide shot allows for full scope of the enormity of the room, with its towering ceiling and ornate columns like most of Norma’s mansion, giving an ambience that Sam Staggs in his book Close-up on

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