In Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburge's 1947 adaptation of Rumer Godden's novel, we follow the story of five nuns physical and spiritual troubles on their journey to the Himalayas. Each one of the sisters has to face their own inner demons such as carnal desires, jealousy and strain on the nuns relationships with one another.
This scene where Sister Ruth is applying lipstick is a good example of how the film uses the theme of carnal desires. In this scene Sister Clodagh is trying to convince Sister Ruth to continue being a nun. while Sister Ruth is applying lipstick the other Sister begins to read the Bible. This shows the contrast between the two Sisters, one has derailed from the path of Sisterhood and chose to give into her sexual feelings, whereas the other remains loyal to her cause. "the two dominant characters are basically frustrated women who seek solace in religion after unhappy romances [...] One eventually is overcome by her desire" (Pryor. T, 1947). Like Pryor says Sister Ruth "eventually" gives but up until this point we see how mental state begins to change the more these feelings grow and at points make her hysterical. However, Sister Clodagh has also been through a similar situation of an unhappy relationship she committed to her beliefs and tried to help others.
Furthermore, Ruth lets her carnal desires and jealousy cloud her judgement as she becomes more hysterical than before. "when Ruth finally flips, transforming herself into a desperate, wild-eyed vamp in a scarlet dress and the reddest of lipsticks, even Clodagh's life is in danger." (Lee, 2008) Simply being in the presence of man has lead to such a build up and lead to Ruth to even attempt murder. The way that Ruth seems to change from seeing Dean to when she returns to the palace is amazing. As mentioned by Lee its like she transforms from a beautiful woman who loves a man to someone filled with jealousy and looking like a deranged murderer.
As well as its interesting plot, the film uses some well done sets and lighting as shown above "The studio sets and backdrops are superbly and still convincingly rendered, and the film looks more beautiful than ever" (Bradshaw, 2005). Through parts of the film the sunset starts to use russet hues which suggests the shift in mood that takes place in the film where the plot gets more intense around Sister Ruth. As Sister Ruth starts to give into her sexual feelings and reject the Sisters belief that's when this lighting is used possibly as a visual indication to the audience that the film has shifted. Set design is also important in the especially in Fig 4 which shows one of the rooms in the palace. Throughout the palace there is sexual imagery of women, which seems to be foreshadowing what happens later on in the film. It comes across as it being inevitable for the Sisters to not be affected in some way.
Bibliography:
Pryor. T, (1947): http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=ee05e7df173ce261bc4c52dfbe66838c659ede
Bradshaw. P, (2005): https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2005/aug/05/3
Lee (2008): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3672855/Must-have-movie-Black-Narcissus-1947.html
Illustration List:
Fig 1: https://theblacknarcissus.com/tag/black-narcissus-film/
Fig 2: http://www.theartsdesk.com/film/dvd-release-black-narcissus
Fig 3: http://offscreen.com/view/holiness_in_black_narcissus
Fig 4: https://trekkerscrapbook.com/2012/11/10/retro-reel-gallery-black-narcissus/pdvd_079/
Fig 5: http://www.theartsdesk.com/film/dvd-release-black-narcissus
No comments:
Post a Comment