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Trauma as trademark : the textual and extratextual significance of psychological wounds in Roman Polanski's films

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Trauma as trademark : the textual and extratextual significance of psychological wounds in Roman Polanski's films

Timmermann, Lisa (2007) Trauma as trademark : the textual and extratextual significance of psychological wounds in Roman Polanski's films. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

This study deals with the representation of traumatic experience in Roman Polanski's oeuvre. I focus particularly on four films: Chinatown (1974), Bitter Moon (1992), Death & the Maiden (1994), and The Pianist (2002). My argument is that in these films, trauma acts not only as a textual (thematic and formal) motif, but also as an extra-textual element that offers insights into the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic experience. Polanski's own traumatic history--beginning with his experience of the Holocaust--makes him a fascinating and tragically fitting candidate for study. By examining Polanski's work from an authorial perspective as well as in relation to various psychoanalytic concepts, I trace the director's signature in the films' portrayal of male and female traumas. Through my analyses, I hope to show that a psychoanalytic auteur study generates an insightful point of entry into the discussion and understanding of Polanski's work.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Fine Arts > Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Timmermann, Lisa
Pagination:iv, 105 leaves ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
Date:2007
Thesis Supervisor(s):Maule, Rosanna
Identification Number:LE 3 C66M45M 2007 T56
ID Code:975599
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:22 Jan 2013 16:11
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 20:08
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