Thematic - Polanski’s depiction of Gender Roles and Voyeurism
Polanski demonstrates and explores themes of voyeurism and gender roles in his films. Even one of his first student short films Uśmiech zębiczny (translated as ‘Teeth Smile’) (1957) explores these themes. In this short film, the man’s intense facial expressions and eagerness to stand on his toes to look through suggest that sexual desires is a warzone between men and women, and is something that has to be fought for. In this short film, Polanski shows the desires of a man as he observes a young female in her private room - nude - and the challenge he faces in meeting that erotic fantasy of being with her.
Throughout many of his films, Polanski gives female characters complexity, personality and strength. Even though Evelyn Cross is a character in a vulnerable position, she demonstrates decision making abilities as she constantly keeps Jack Nicholson away from her secret daughter/sister through majority of the film (Chinatown, 1974). Despite the opposing forces of Jack investigating, societies pressure to fit in, and her villainess father, she still continues to go against them and act in a fight or flight state. Even right before her death, she drives off and refuses to let Noah Cross touch her daughter/sister, by physically pushing him away. …show more content…
She not only convinces Guy (her husband) to buy and move into an expensive new apartment she liked but manipulates him into going out for dinner with their new neighbours by making him feel guilty for not wanting to go because “they’re lonely”(Rosemary’s baby,
Polanski demonstrates and explores themes of voyeurism and gender roles in his films. Even one of his first student short films Uśmiech zębiczny (translated as ‘Teeth Smile’) (1957) explores these themes. In this short film, the man’s intense facial expressions and eagerness to stand on his toes to look through suggest that sexual desires is a warzone between men and women, and is something that has to be fought for. In this short film, Polanski shows the desires of a man as he observes a young female in her private room - nude - and the challenge he faces in meeting that erotic fantasy of being with her.
Throughout many of his films, Polanski gives female characters complexity, personality and strength. Even though Evelyn Cross is a character in a vulnerable position, she demonstrates decision making abilities as she constantly keeps Jack Nicholson away from her secret daughter/sister through majority of the film (Chinatown, 1974). Despite the opposing forces of Jack investigating, societies pressure to fit in, and her villainess father, she still continues to go against them and act in a fight or flight state. Even right before her death, she drives off and refuses to let Noah Cross touch her daughter/sister, by physically pushing him away. …show more content…
She not only convinces Guy (her husband) to buy and move into an expensive new apartment she liked but manipulates him into going out for dinner with their new neighbours by making him feel guilty for not wanting to go because “they’re lonely”(Rosemary’s baby,