Black Narcissus, 1947, is an unusual mix of film genres.
Visually stunning throughout, filmed in full Technicolor with a strong use of
matte painting backdrops (The film was shot at Pinewood studios, but you would
never think so (fig 1)), the film
slowly takes a symbolic and erotic turn as it plays through. “it's a travelogue/drama, and then it
suddenly becomes a German expressionist horror film.” (Dessem: 2009) as
well as exploring the sexual suppression of the nuns, there is also underlying
themes of British relationships with India- with the film being released just a
few months before India gained independence from Britain.
Black Narcissus is
most famous for its use of colour, shifting from very monochromatic to bright
reds and blues as the film progresses. The films cinematographer, Jack Cardiff,
said on the subject “Van Gogh's use of complementary
colors inspired my choice to contrast the greenish fill lights with red
sunlight effects. I like the "anger" in Van Gogh's palette, and truly
the effect on screen is a deliciously ambiguous mix of violence and accord” Red
is used as an erotic symbol throughout the film. More subtly at first such as
red flowers wrongfully being planted in the libidinal garden (with the nun who
plants them admitting they remind her of her past before she joined the
nunnery), and the prince- a sexualised character throughout, wearing all red in
the main room of the nunnery (of course, the bluest room of all) (fig 2).
Towards the end of the film, sister Ruth slowly applies red
lipstick and from then onward the cinematography turns sinister, more red hues
creeping up on the other nuns – their unwanted sexual desires. Not only a
metaphor but also giving the film a sudden old horror feel. (fig 3)
(fig 3) Red light shining on Sister Ruth |
The nuns themselves, coming from pale blue beginnings, move
from a pale blue nunnery, into the bluest room in the palace. Even their faces
are monochromatic- their lips painted paler to give an even more asexual
appearance. Despite this, there is still something sexual about their elongated
pauses between words and the ringing of the bell, which goes on for longer than
is comfortable- all of this setting the scene for later on in the film.
The racial implications and stereotypes
throughout the film, although questionable, have undeniable links to the
relationship between the (now) two empires. The most obvious of these is
Joseph, the young Indian English interpreter. His presence alone, teaching the
young children seems to perhaps imply something about the birth of the nearly
independent Indian empire, fending for itself smartly using what they learnt
from the English. There is also something satirical behind Joseph teaching the
young children English words such as "cannon," "warship,"
"bayonet," "dagger," and "gun" in an attempt to civilise
them. This is perhaps picking fun at the stereotype of Britain giving unwanted and
often destructive help. (fig 4) This
extends to the nun’s services in the village – “The nuns’ altruistic attempt to provide essential services to the
local native population at Mopu is shown, after all, to be an utterly futile
exercise.” (Cross, 2007: 610)
(fig 4) Joseph teaching the other children |
Bibliography
Mathew Dessem, (2009) #93: Black Narcissus at
http://criterioncollection.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/93-black-narcissus.html
Mary Bowen, (2004)
Blue Nun/Red Desire:
The Palette of Piety, Passion, and Monstrosity in Black Narcissus at http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/47_BN/MMB.html
The Palette of Piety, Passion, and Monstrosity in Black Narcissus at http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/47_BN/MMB.html
Robert Cross (2007) Black
Narcissus: A Post-colonial Empire Film? :610
http://doors.doshisha.ac.jp/webopac/bdyview.do?bodyid=BD00011599&elmid=Body&lfname=006009040001.pdf
Illustrations
(fig 1) Still from Black Narcissus at http://thefilmemporium.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/classic-throwback-black-narcissus.html
(fig 2) Still from
Black Narcissus at http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/47_BN/MMB.html
(fig 3) Still from
Black Narcissus at http://videokrypt.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/black-narcissus-nuns-in-heat-in-glorious-technicolour/
(fig 4) Still from
Black Narcissus at
http://criterioncollection.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/93-black-narcissus.html
Great review, Livi - actually 'review' is no longer what you're doing here - this is the stuff of engaging written assignments and your synthesis skills (the ability to create new arguments from separate ideas) are growing in sophistication. Also - loved this description: 'the libidinal garden' - wonderful. This has the makings of a much more developed, more ambitious written assignment. Well done :)
ReplyDeleteJust one correction though; you refer to the film as 'The Black Narcissus' in your opening line - just get rid of that 'The' and make me even happier.