Female Transcendence: Approaching the "Experiénce Extrême" in Contemporary French Horror Cinema

The horror genre has not historically been popular amongst critics, scholars, and feminist writers, and is often criticized for sensationalizing physical and sexual violence. Building off the preexisting literature on the problematic representation of gender in horror, this thesis looks at New French Extremity films that assault audiences with scenes of violence, torture, rape, and self-mutilation, which are performed almost exclusively upon or by women. Although the films of the New French Extremity have been dismissed as excessive and exploitative, this thesis argues for the feminist potential of these texts through their correlation of the female body and what Georges Bataille calls the “expérience extrême”. Through an examination of Inside, Martyrs, Trouble Every Day, and In My Skin this thesis will examine how women are the sites and agents of the expérience extrême, arguing that this embodiment contributes to feminist narratives that challenge notions of female victimhood in the genre.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Film Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• McGillvray, Maddison

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2016 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2016-11550

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/39889