in her overview of neo-noir, Lee Horsley notes that one of the questions that is often raised neo-noir films is whether "self-consciously ‘noir' contemporary narratives are to be seen as escaping from or as engaging with contemporary issues" (2002, n.p.). Is Bound merely an escapist fantasy, or does the film engage with issues that affect women - perhaps lesbians in particular - in the world outside the film?
Develop your answer by discussing a specific scene (or scenes) from the movie that supports your point.
Another way of exploring this question is to ask "why make a film using noir style at the end of the twentieth century? The characters and plots of classic film noir movies are directly linked to issues and concerns in the society in which they were produced. How do neo-noir films - Bound in particular - represent and explore issues and concerns of the society in which they were created?
Any comments for 2 Threads
1. I think that this film represents issues that affect women, lesbians in particular. The reason being is that during the time that this movie was made, lesbians were viewed to be "butchy" or tough (Corky or Foxy Brown). They were not seen as soft, sweet, and innocent (Violet). Violet plays the role of dutiful spouse to Caesar, while desiring the attention of another woman, rather than the men that she is currently involved with. The scene where Corky is seen bound in a closet, brings to the forefront the attitude of homosexuality remaining "in the closet" and not out in the open. The movie Bound helped during this time to bring homosexuality out in the open and not something to remain a secret. It also helped to change mindsets about what a lesbian should look like.
2. I believe that the film engages with issues that affect women, lesbians in particular because society especially then didn't take lesbianism seriously. A scene that made me think this is the scene where Violet and Corky were about to have sex and Ceaser walks in. He first is startled thinking that there is a man in the home with her, but laughs it off and thinks nothing of it when he realizes its just Corky and he blames it on dark shadows. I think this is interesting because if it were a man he would have been upset but since it was just Corky he thinks nothing of it, even inviting her to stay for a drink. The power in this scene is that he overlooks Violet and Corkys relationship making it even easier to carry out their scheme. I think this relates to how lesbians may have felt especially during the 90s where it may not have been taken as something serious and that could cause people to suppress their desires due to society. I think making a film using noir style at the end of the twentieth century because times have changed and people have different lifestyles than those celebrated in earlier films. Greed, lust, betrayal, crime, infidelity; these are all things that still exist in todays society but are not talked about in a larger degree. Neo noir films represent and explore issues and concerns of the society in which they were created also because neo noir is mostly mysterious, not talked about secretive and these films shine the light on these issues in the form of entertainment.