The Art of Film #1: Thelma and Louise

Thelma: [with her gun to the state trooper’s head] “I swear three days ago neither one of us would’ve EVER pulled a stunt like this, but if you’d ever meet my husband you’d understand why.“

Thelma and Louise (1991), directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri, is a controversial film that has only gained in reputation from the wide spectrum of responses it has attracted over time. Though often described as an American ‘buddy’ road movie, by inverting the traditional gender roles and brutally exposing challenges to female autonomy, this landmark film raises questions about female friendship, justice, sexual pleasure and the use of violence.

The power of Thelma and Louise remains with viewers long after the closing credits. From the stunning vision of the wide open spaces of the western USA to the foot-tapping soundtrack and whip-smart dialogue, we remember its vivid and searing movement. Since last year’s Barbie Forum we have wanted to add more film studies to the Salon’s menu of offerings, so when Toby and Julie discovered a shared love for this film we decided it was the perfect choice to kick off a rich new area of exploration under the heading ‘The Art of Film’. 

For this LitSalon Short we will use clips of the film as the launchpad for our discussion. In preparation, we ask participants to view the film (or refresh your memory if it has been a while). As part of the study we will provide participants with a short list of cinema terminology and techniques and use the skills we have developed in exploring narrative form to consider what creates the memorable aesthetic and emotional power of this film. 

Although initially a ‘Short’, we believe this study may have potential to open up a longer series of discussions about subjects such as the portrayal of sexual violence and abuse and female representation (particularly in films of the 1980s and 1990s). We are both interested in how, in this period, art attempted to chronicle female experience and to what extent shifts in gender roles and resistances were reflected in cinematic presentation.

JOINING DETAILS:

• A FREE OF CHARGE LitSalon Short on the Art of Film
• Sunday 26 May 2024, 4.00-6.00pm (UK) on Zoom
• Discussion led by Toby Brothers and Julie Sutherland
• Thelma and Louise is available on DVD and to download from Amazon and other platforms.