Abstract
Luis Buñuel, the renowned filmmaker of the 1900s, is known primarily for the Surrealism that permeates much of his filmography. His films often make a commentary on politics, Catholicism, and/or the bourgeoisie, all topics that are important to Buñuel as a person and as a Surrealist. It can also be argued that Buñuel may be criticizing the patriarchy with his somewhat outlandish and potentially parodying portrayal of women. However, upon further consideration of Buñuel’s work, which contains recurrent and damaging representations of women, this assessment seems simplistic, or at least incomplete. Analysis of Buñuel’s films leaves one wondering whether he is truly criticizing the patriarchy or rather contributing to the patriarchy, albeit possibly with good intentions. In this paper, Buñuel's films Un chien andalou, El ángel exterminador, Susana, Viridiana, Belle de jour, and Cet obscur objet du désir are analyzed and presented as examples of his depiction of women and sexual desire. Quotes from Buñuel himself, testimonies from his acquaintances, and further explorations of the time period, however, seek to show the ambiguity presented in those films: are they a criticism of the times, or are they proof of Buñuel’s misogynistic views?
How to Cite
Bristow, M., (2017) “Women Through the Lens of Luis Buñuel: A Critical Analysis of Gender and Film”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 30(1).
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