Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things' and the Question of Female Emancipation
So, there's this insightful review about Yorgos Lanthimos' film 'Poor Things' (or 'Povere Creature' in Italian), which is inspired by Alasdair Gray's book. The film has snagged four Oscars: Emma Stone won Best Actress, while Best Production Design went to James Price, Shona Heath, and Zsuzsa Mihalek, and Holly Waddington took home Best Costume Design. Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston received Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The story follows Bella Baxter, a woman with the intellect of an infant in an adult's body, who embarks on a strange journey of self-discovery through sexual experiences. The article questions if the film equates female freedom with sexual liberation, suggesting Bella's experiences might reflect a male fantasy rather than true empowerment. It also touches on feminist perspectives, quoting director Erika Lust on the need for values in sexual freedom. The author argues that real liberation involves awareness and boundaries, not just reckless choices. By the end, Bella finds genuine freedom by becoming a doctor, moving beyond her sexual identity. The review also connects the film to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein,' noting the creature's namelessness and critiquing how responsibility and self-awareness are portrayed.
Key facts
- 'Poor Things' is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and adapted from Alasdair Gray's novel.
- The film won four Oscars: Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Production Design (James Price, Shona Heath, Zsuzsa Mihalek), Best Costume Design (Holly Waddington), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, Josh Weston).
- The protagonist Bella Baxter has an infant's brain in an adult body.
- The article questions if the film reduces female emancipation to sexual liberation.
- Bella becomes a prostitute but cannot choose her clients, contradicting sex worker empowerment principles.
- Director Erika Lust is quoted: 'The sex can stay dirty, but the values have to be clean.'
- True emancipation, per the article, involves consciousness and boundaries, not just freedom.
- Bella finds genuine freedom at the end by becoming a doctor, no longer defined by sexuality.
Entities
Artists
- Yorgos Lanthimos
- Emma Stone
- Alasdair Gray
- Mary Shelley
- James Price
- Shona Heath
- Zsuzsa Mihalek
- Holly Waddington
- Nadia Stacey
- Mark Coulier
- Josh Weston
- Erika Lust
- Angela White
- Valentina Nappi
- Simone de Beauvoir
Institutions
- Artribune
- Oscars