Theda Bara And The Depictions Of Cleopatra
Depictions of Cleopatra in film and TV series, focus more on the personal aspects of her life, with
little excerpts of her political life being thrown in. Each depiction having undertones, of what is
happening politically, at the time the film was made.
The 1917 Film starring Theda Bara, had all the themes of a contemporary vision of Egypt being,
exotic and alluring, but also alien and threatening. (Fear, 2008, AA100 DVD). Shown within its
backdrop imagery, and in Bara s threatening portrayal of Cleopatra. Bara was reputable for her roles
where, sex was used to manipulate men to her will. This being how Bara decided to depict Cleopatra,
with great enthusiasm, the studio used this to promote the film. Politically, at the time of this film,
women s liberation is at the forefront, promoting a strong woman, with her own mind, wealth and
power. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Gone is the threatening demeanour, instead using themes of a love story that changes history. (Fear,
2008, AA100 DVD). Now the epic film, is being used as a promotion tool to market hair styles,
clothes and jewellery. The production comes at a time when the working women were on the rise,
having the vote and enjoying pleasures like pre or extramarital sex. New production codes forced
films to promote marriage and the home, with Catholic Church organisation the Legion of Decency,
putting pressure on film makers, boycotting films that promoted immorality. The historical film could
be used to avoid this, and in Colbert s Cleopatra, these themes can be contained by her death at the
end of the
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