COMP 1A: Bonnie and Clyde overview Flashcards
What year was the film “Bonnie and Clyde” released?
1967
Who directed “Bonnie and Clyde”?
Arthur Penn
Which two Academy Awards did “Bonnie and Clyde” win?
Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography
What era of Hollywood does “Bonnie and Clyde” belong to?
New Hollywood era
What song by Earl Scruggs & Lester Flatt is used in the film to keep the tone light during crime scenes?
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
What controversial topics does “Bonnie and Clyde” address that were uncommon in Hollywood films of that era?
Sex and violence
Which film technique inspired by French New Wave directors is used in “Bonnie and Clyde”?
Jump cuts
What is the significance of the use of black in the scene where Bonnie meets her mother for the last time?
It creates a funereal tone and foreshadows the death of the protagonists.
What historical context influenced the anti-authority message of “Bonnie and Clyde”?
Social unrest in America during the 1960s, including the Vietnam War and civil rights movements.
What type of shot is used in the opening scene to sexualize Bonnie and suggest the film will explore her identity?
Extreme close-ups of Bonnie’s lips and eyes
What is the significance of the lack of music in the robbery scenes?
It lends a sense of realism.
What does the use of loud and explosive gunfire in the closing scene emphasize?
The excesses of Frank Hamer’s (authority) attack on Bonnie and Clyde
How does the film challenge gender norms of the era it is set in?
Bonnie starts the film trapped inside the home, while Clyde is seen out in the world, but the rest of the film challenges these roles.
What taboo subjects does the film address through the characters of Bonnie and Clyde?
Bonnie initiates intimacy and oral sex is alluded to, while Clyde’s impotence challenges stereotypes of the masculine virile hero.
How do Bonnie and Clyde support the working classes in the film?
They encourage the evicted Otis Harris to shoot at the bank sign and let a man in the bank robbery keep his own money.
Which Japanese film inspired the closing scene of “Bonnie and Clyde”?
Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa
What historical events and social movements influenced the film’s anti-authority message?
The Vietnam War, civil rights movements, and the counterculture of the late 1960s.
What was the impact of the MPAA ratings system on the production of films like “Bonnie and Clyde”?
It encouraged independent studios to tackle more taboo subjects and experiment with new filmmaking techniques.
What did Arthur Penn say about Hollywood at the time of making “Bonnie and Clyde”?
“It wasn’t just that we were sick of the system. At that point, the system was sick of itself.
Which French New Wave directors influenced the film “Bonnie and Clyde”?
Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut
What theme is explored through the contrast between façade and reality in the film?
The theme of façade vs. reality is explored, exemplified by the line “Your advertising is just dandy.”
What significant change in the film industry occurred in 1968?
The Hays Code was scrapped in favor of a new ratings system
Which two films are credited with introducing the summer blockbuster era?
Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977)
What new home video technologies did studios invest in during the New Hollywood era?
Cable TV, VHS, and Beta
What was a notable flop that marked the end of the studio epic era?
Cleopatra (1963)
What are some stylistic features of the New Hollywood era?
Low budget, director-driven, on-location shooting, influence of European New Wave aesthetics, Stanislavskian acting style, realist character-driven narratives, anti-authoritarian themes, liberal attitudes to sex and drugs, and politically charged content.
What change in actor contracts occurred during the New Hollywood era?
Actors were no longer bound by 7-year contracts and had more control over their roles and image.
What was the economic state of Hollywood studios during the New Hollywood era?
Hollywood studios were in decline and willing to take fewer financial risks.
