American Values and Culture

1. The film All That Heaven Allows presents a unique view of the emotion life (framed within a social context) of a woman (and of women) in the 1950’s. How does Sirk do this using the techniques of mis-en-scene? Use specific examples from film.

2. Gibbs refers to Imitation of Life as a film in which “significant elements are not spoken but shown and felt.” Using specific examples from the film, and what you have learned about mise-en-scene, discuss how this is the case.

3. Todd Haynes’ film Far From Heaven was carefully constructed, making use of the Hollywood melodrama (or “women’s pictures,” or “weepy”) of the 50’s in order to provoke an emotional repsonse in the viewer today (in the present). What do you make of this film and how would you connect it with other works and concepts we’ve discussed in class?