The Femme Fetale

In the class, we have learnt about femme fetale, which is a character in film noir. And I want to use this blog to show what I know about femme fetale.

This is the femme fatale in Double Indemnity which is acted by Barbara Stanwyck

The introduction

The figure of the 'femme fatale' is a French term meaning deadly woman. She is an irresistibly beautiful woman and uses her sexuality to seduce men and lure them into dangerous situations to serve her own selfish interests. She is mysterious, double-crossing, gorgeous, intelligent, powerful, unreliable and desperate.

The hair, make-up, jewellery and cigarettes are symbols of femme fetales' sensuality. They are very concerned with slick clothing styles that signify what has been described as 'to-be-looked-at-ness'.

The femme fetale often wearing slick clothing

Make-up & hairstyle

The make-up of femme fetales has emphasized the brows, eyes, and lips. Eyebrows play a major role in showing facial expressions, so they usually have clear, shaped and high arc eyebrows to give a strong look. The red lips which bring out the sexiness of them.

The femme fetale always has clear, shaped and high arc eyebrows and the red lips

The femme fetales always have their hair down to make them sexier. Their hair colour is always solid black, deep dark brown, auburn, brown, or platinum blonde. The style of hair is either long, side-parted waves like Rita Hayworth or shorter pin curls like Elizabeth Taylor. The waves and curls of the hair show the softness femine of femme fetale. All of these styles have a similar point: they all show the forehead of femme fetale.

Shorter pin curls style of femme fetale(Elizabeth Taylor)

long, side-parted waves style of femme fetale(Rita Hayworth)

Demeanour of Femme Fetale

Femme fetale is independent, strong and sexy. They have been seducing men, and are already experienced in the art of seduction. The character in the movie always become powerful and independent, they control the man and decided the life of themselves.

Analyse of Femme Fetale

Here I have a picture of femme fetale and I'd like to analyse it.

She is holding a cigarette which is a symbol of femme fetale's sensuality. She is a beautiful woman which makes her be more attractive and sexy. She has a clear, shaped and high arc eyebrows which bring a strong look. Although this is a black and white visual style, we still can see that she has red lips which bring out the sexiness of her. She has a solid black hair which is long and side-parted waves which is the hairstyle of femme fetale. She looks sexy and strong. Also, she seems to be independent.