Remixing Classics for the Screen : Woody Allen and the Classical Tradition

• Several films by Woody Allen (Interiors, Oedipus Wrecks, Match Point and Mighty Aphrodite) contain elements of classical tradition that have been neglected or oversimplified by film scholarship as references to the director’s personal engagement with psychoanalysis. Using Mighty Aphrodite (1995) as illustration, I argue that these films convey the expression of contemporary social issues through a complex and multi-layered reception of classical culture that goes beyond pure psychoanalysis. In Mighty Aphrodite, specifically, Allen deploys the strict formalism of tragedy and the myth of Oedipus as film mechanisms for contemporary societal discourse. Via evaluation of film and narrative, I demonstrate that Allen’s classical reception is self-reflexive as it refers back to the very processes of performative arts. Furthermore, Allen utilizes the classical tradition as a form of expression in contemporary classical Hollywood narratives and creates a rich cultural experience for his audience; a cinematic treatise on cultural remix, dramatic formalism and classical reception per se.   

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Scenkonst (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Performing Arts (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Kulturstudier (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Cultural Studies (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Filmvetenskap (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Studies on Film (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Antikvetenskap (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Classical Archaeology and Ancient History (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Woody Allen

classical reception

Greek theatre

Oedipus

antikens kultur och samhällsliv

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)