Both film stars’ image of modernity can be seen in their physicality, as well as their progressive portrayal of their bodies. Jeanne Moreau’s revolutionary new form of physicality that she expressed through her star persona, has lead her to be described by Guy Austin as a “red Woman.” For Austin, a red woman suggests a very frank and open relationship towards sex that was considered both threatening and indecent. Moreau came to occupy this image, due to her large role in the sexual liberation and awakening of the female in French society. Moreau portrayed sex and sexuality very candidly on film before from a uniquely feminine perspective while simultaneously presenting her body in a way that was typically not seen. Nowhere is this more pronounced
…show more content…
Additionally it was her lack of makeup that signified that this was a natural and not objectified feminine image. Another key reason why this image became so revolutionary was because it threatened more established bourgeois values. According Kristin Ross there was an attempt to purify and clean France, and a large part of this was in the maintaining of family structures. Women then had to be clean, loyal and remain inside the family structure, in order to preserve its cleanliness and thus cleanliness of the nation. Moreau’s sexualised non bourgeois star image then would have been a stark reaction against this national cultural project. She swore, she laughed, she wasn’t clean. she refused to be domesticated or accept traditional properness. Hence her star image was not only just reflective of the sexual liberation of the modern woman, but also the modern woman’s departure away from France’s established cultural project of the time. The way in which she was a part of the reshaping of French femininity, validated her stage image as an image of …show more content…
Although Delon’s portrayal of male physicality was not as radical in embodying the same loosening of societal taboos that Moreau’s did, his star image was subject to France’s changing association with the male body. Delon’s masculine physicality was defined by his icy good looks, which was a large part of his on screen performances and off screen persona. Delon’s beauty was characterised by his classically built body his perfectly shaped features, his ruggedness and his internalised aloofness. There was an animalistic grace and speed to Delon’s movements that made them silent but emphatic. The good looks of Delon became further emphasised due to France’s increasingly consumerist culture. Delon embraced this consumerist culture in his exhibition of his physicality. Delon was very cosmopolitan, he lived an expensive lifestyle, traveled, wore expensive Italian clothes, while also being a playboy and womaniser. This advanced his sex appeal amongst the younger and modern generation and made him particularly popular amongst female fans. In 1982 a survey performed by Paris Match concluded that the French public were seduced by Delon, and that he was the prefered star for the female population. This newly forming consumerist culture that he encapsulated made him a symbol of modern sex appeal, and helped him refashion modern male sexiness. Yet this sexuality was also a
Additionally it was her lack of makeup that signified that this was a natural and not objectified feminine image. Another key reason why this image became so revolutionary was because it threatened more established bourgeois values. According Kristin Ross there was an attempt to purify and clean France, and a large part of this was in the maintaining of family structures. Women then had to be clean, loyal and remain inside the family structure, in order to preserve its cleanliness and thus cleanliness of the nation. Moreau’s sexualised non bourgeois star image then would have been a stark reaction against this national cultural project. She swore, she laughed, she wasn’t clean. she refused to be domesticated or accept traditional properness. Hence her star image was not only just reflective of the sexual liberation of the modern woman, but also the modern woman’s departure away from France’s established cultural project of the time. The way in which she was a part of the reshaping of French femininity, validated her stage image as an image of …show more content…
Although Delon’s portrayal of male physicality was not as radical in embodying the same loosening of societal taboos that Moreau’s did, his star image was subject to France’s changing association with the male body. Delon’s masculine physicality was defined by his icy good looks, which was a large part of his on screen performances and off screen persona. Delon’s beauty was characterised by his classically built body his perfectly shaped features, his ruggedness and his internalised aloofness. There was an animalistic grace and speed to Delon’s movements that made them silent but emphatic. The good looks of Delon became further emphasised due to France’s increasingly consumerist culture. Delon embraced this consumerist culture in his exhibition of his physicality. Delon was very cosmopolitan, he lived an expensive lifestyle, traveled, wore expensive Italian clothes, while also being a playboy and womaniser. This advanced his sex appeal amongst the younger and modern generation and made him particularly popular amongst female fans. In 1982 a survey performed by Paris Match concluded that the French public were seduced by Delon, and that he was the prefered star for the female population. This newly forming consumerist culture that he encapsulated made him a symbol of modern sex appeal, and helped him refashion modern male sexiness. Yet this sexuality was also a