The Postfeminist Biopic : Narrating the Lives of Plath, Kahlo, Woolf and Austen

This book contributes to the growing literature on the biopic genre by outlining and exploring the conventions of the postfeminist biopic. It does so by analyzing recent films about the lives of famous women including Sylvia Plath, Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf and Jane Austen. The Postfeminist Biopic explores the influence of postfeminist culture on cinematic representations of female biographies. While earlier research has described the subgenres of the classical female biopic and the feminist biopic, Polaschek proposes a third subgenre, the postfeminist biopic, which has appeared as part of a broader trend of reviving and reconfiguring classical genre forms aimed at women. The book explores the conventions of the postfeminist biopic through a close analysis of four films that represent the lives of women who are established members of the second-wave feminist canon : Sylvia (Christine Jeffs, 2003), which depicts the life of the American poet Sylvia Plath; Frida (Julie Taymor, 2002), about the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo; The Hours (Stephen Daldry, 2002), which includes a biographical narrative about the English novelist and critic Virginia Woolf; and Becoming Jane (Julian Jarrold, 2006), a fictionalized interpretation of the coming of age of the English novelist Jane Austen The Postfeminist Biopic Explores The Influence Of Postfeminist Culture On Cinematic Representations Of Female Biographies. While Earlier Research Has Described The Subgenres Of The Classical Female Biopic And The Feminist Biopic, Polaschek Proposes A Third Subgenre, The Postfeminist Biopic, Which Has Appeared As Part Of A Broader Trend Of Reviving And Reconfiguring Classical Genre Forms Aimed At Women. The Book Explores The Conventions Of The Postfeminist Biopic Through A Close Analysis Of Four Films That Represent The Lives Of Women Who Are Established Members Of The Second-wave Feminist Canon: Sylvia (christine Jeffs, 2003), Which Depicts The Life Of The American Poet Sylvia Plath; Frida (julie Taymor, 2002), About The Mexican Painter Frida Kahlo; The Hours (stephen Daldry, 2002), Which Includes A Biographical Narrative About The English Novelist And Critic Virginia Woolf; And Becoming Jane (julian Jarrold, 2006), A Fictionalized Interpretation Of The Coming Of Age Of The English Novelist Jane Austen. 1. Feminist Film Theory And Postfeminist Culture -- 2. The Biopic Genre -- 3. The Postfeminist Historical Woman In Sylvia -- 4. Frida And The Postfeminist Artist Biopic -- 5. The Hours, Feminisms And Women's Art -- 6. Postfeminist Spectatorship In Becoming Jane -- Conclusion: The Postfeminist Biopic. Bronwyn Polaschek. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-8 Feminist Film Theory and Postfeminist Culture....Pages 9-37 The Biopic Genre....Pages 38-59 The Postfeminist Historical Woman in Sylvia ....Pages 60-80 Frida and the Postfeminist Artist Biopic....Pages 81-103 The Hours, Feminisms and Women’s Art....Pages 104-126 Postfeminist Spectatorship in Becoming Jane ....Pages 127-148 Conclusion: The Postfeminist Biopic....Pages 149-163 Back Matter....Pages 164-191 This title contributes to the growing literature on the biopic genre by outlining and exploring the conventions of the postfeminist biopic. It does so by analysing recent films about the lives of famous women including Sylvia Plath, Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf and Jane Austen