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High School “Humanitarian Lyceum”

Research: «The mermaid's image in cinematography and its differences in different countries»

Student: Farida Gazizulina

Teacher: Nataliya Kasimova

Izhevsk 2013

The table of content

Introduction

1. Mermaids in film history

2. Comparative analysis

References

Introduction

The title of my research is «The mermaid's image in cinematography and its differences in different countries».

Hans Christian Andersen wrote: “Far out in the sea the water is as blue as the petals of the most beautiful corn-flower, and as clear as the purest glass. But it is very deep, deeper than any cable will sound; many steeples must be placed one above the other to reach from the bottom to the surface of the water. And down there live the sea people.” [1]

We know that not only he was interested in mermaids. So many directors from different countries more than once were inspired by mermaids and make a movie about them.

This topic seems very exciting for me because, when I was child, stories about mermaids became my favorite. Cinematography suggests different opinions about image of mermaids. So, each director sees their one's own way. That is why in different countries we can watch different image of mermaid in cinema, because producer's view depends of herself/himself mental belonging. Therefore would be interesting to understand what distinguish it and what makes them different.

In the first chapter of my research, I'm going to write about the main films in the cinematography, where the characters were mermaids. My primary goal is analysis of the mermaids' images, with both the external and the internal side.

In the second chapter of my research, I'm going to compare the positions of filmmakers with their national consciousness. So, I want to understand how people perceive the mermaids in different countries. Films will help me in this.

Mermaids are symbol of mystery and magic. Namely, the belief in mystical creations is the foundation of the cultural notions of many nations. At the same time, the art of cinema is also inextricably connected with culture. Mysticism is the oldest part of the culture, but the cinematography is very young branch of art. Symbiosis of these two constants is very interesting. So, I think the theme of my research is timely for our time, when the past and the future are so closely intertwined.

cinematography mermaid image filmmaker

1. Mermaids in film history

So, who are the mermaids? Mermaid is an imaginary sea creature fabled to have a woman's head and upper body and a fish's tail [2]. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including the Near East, Europe, and Asia. The first stories appeared in ancient Assyria, in which the goddess Atargatis transforms herself into a mermaid out of shame for accidentally killing her human lover. Mermaids are sometimes depicted as perilous creatures associated with floods, storms, shipwrecks, and drowning. In other folk traditions (or sometimes within the same tradition) they can be benevolent, bestowing boons or falling in love with humans [3].

Mermaids always have been a popular subject of art. No exception, and the movie industry. So, sixteen years after the birth of cinematography the first movie about a mermaid was filmed. It was called “Siren of the Sea” (1911, USA). It was silent film. Mermaid in this movie hasn't a special feeling. She is frivolous and can't feel even little part of the human experience. Author of the film divide her from other people deliberately. He shows exactly sea creatures, not a sentient being. Unfortunately, we have extremely little information about it. We don't know even who was the director of the film. However, we authentically know that the main role (role of the mermaid) played Annette Kellerman. She was an Australian professional swimmer and American actress. Also curious is the fact that in the three subsequent films about mermaids she got the main role too.

The next film, in which she played a mermaid called “Neptune's Daughter” (1914, United States), directed by the master of eminent silent film Herbert Brenon (Irishman). Plot: The daughter of King Neptune determines to avenge the death of her sister, who was caught in a fishing net laid by the king of a country above the waves. However, she soon falls in love with the king upon whom she planned to take her revenge. [4] In this film are clearly visible sense of mermaids. They can love and hate. They may want to revenge. But win in their heart bright things, and it was good and love. Director gives to mermaid humanity and sensitivity. Now she has a soul. But, in addition to all, the main idea of the film director now - is a happy ending. And this is a colossal development for all the stories about mermaids. Never before mermaid hadn't happiness. In this case, the director allows her to stay in the human world and makes their equal. It was a revolution of consciousness!

The third film, in which Annette Kellerman starred as a mermaid again called “A Daughter of the Gods” (1916, USA). The director of this film again became Herbert Brenon. To my regret, though stills and publicity photos have survived, the film is now considered lost [5].

Fourth film mermaid-Kellerman became “Queen of the Sea” (1918, USA). Film was directed by John G. Adolfi (American). However, this film is considered lost too. It was the last film, which closed the circle of the work Annette Kellerman as mermaid.

Later on cinema took a short break and didn't make films about mermaids before 1948. But in 1948, published a new film directed by Ken Annakin (Englishman) and named “Miranda” (1948, UK). The film was one of the most popular movies at the British box office in 1948[6]. Mermaid in the film appears to us as a beautiful temptress and child of the sea. Everything human is vaguely for her. She's silly and naive as a child. So, the image of mermaids degrades. Director shows her as vicious child, which doesn't know morality. And at the same time she is worthy of pity. Like this new type of mermaids in the cinema was born. It was discovery. Wonder, that there is a sequel to this story, which is called “Mad about Men” (1954, United Kingdom). Director of the new film was Ralph Thomas (Englishman), and Miranda again was played by Glynis Johns. However, plot of the film and the behavior of Miranda almost no different from the previous film.

Image of mermaids since Miranda didn't change strongly until 1984. During this period, mermaids appear in such films as:

· “Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid” (1948, United States, American director Irving Pichel). Mermaid in the film is presented as a love toy elderly Arthur Peabody. In her is no innocence and purity.

· “Pekka ja Pдtkд sammakkomiehinд” (1957, Finland, it was directed by Armand Lohikoski an American born - Finnish movie director and writer). Mermaid in this movie as playful and frivolous like all before her.

· “Mermaids of Tiburon”(1962, USA, directed by John Lamb). A diver is aided in his search for sunken treasure by beautiful mermaids [7]. On his way to the treasures, diver meets of many mermaids and all are equally mysterious and draw him to themselves. In this film mermaids hadn't frivolity. Mystery and temptation stood on main place of their personalities.

· “Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965, United States, directed by the American William Milton Asher). The film tells the story of beach party. Mermaid is woven into the story as an additional element to give the film more brightness. Mermaid is very similar to Miranda.

· “Head” (1968, United States, psychedelic adventure comedy film directed by Rafelson). Mermaid in this movie is not a personage, but she is symbol of freedom. She is different from the crowd, like the main characters in the film.

In 1984, new film in which the main character was a mermaid appeared. It was called a “Splash” (1984, United States). Film was directed by Ron Howard (American). The film starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. This film is an Americanized version of the Andersen's fairy tale.

Plot: Allen Bauer is rescued from drowning as a young boy off Cape Cod by a young mermaid. Years later he returns to the same location, and once again manages to fall into the sea, and is rescued once more by the mermaid (Allen isn't sure what he's seen and what he's imagined). The mermaid decides to search for Allen in New York, sprouting legs when her tail dries. On finding Allen, they fall in love, but soon the doctor found mermaid after she grows a mermaid's tail. She is taken in the experiments. However, in the end, Allen saved her from captivity. They evermore float away in the underwater kingdom.

Mermaid in the movie shows quite different than in the earlier films. She is naive and kind. She is capable on the most of pure and beautiful human feelings. She can truly love. She wants to be like the people, so she learns everything that people can do. And she does this for earn the love of her beloved. Dedication is the main feature which director gave to his mermaid. In my opinion, this is the first type of mermaid in the movie, which is so close to the Andersen's nymph.

Since we're talking about “The Little Mermaid” by Andersen, let's look at the film adaptation of this imperishable story. To the centenary of the Andersen's death at the same time appeared 2 films adaptation of this magnificent tale:

· The first of this is “The Little Mermaid” (1976, USSR and Bulgaria), directed by Vladimir Bychkov.

In this film, unlike the story of Hans Christian Andersen, witch didn't take away the voice of the little mermaid, and she could speak, in addition, she didn't die, parting with the prince, and receive immortality. Despite these discrepancies, written storylines are very interesting; they added drama of a very sad story. Mermaid in this film was very especial and exceptional. She has so pure soul, that seems light comes from her. Cleanliness and openness of her heart charms.

Mermaid all herself represents selfless love. And her voice is beautiful, and every move easily and gracefully. But the main thing - she is absolutely innocent. Her soul untarnished. She is ready to do anything for love. She is fragile child, but she didn't afraid to love so much. And of course, the film director couldn't kill her. In this film, her friend Sulpitius gave his life for mermaid, and she became eternal dream that brings happiness to others. Little mermaid in the movie played by Vika Novikova for which it was the only film. And her acting is just amazing!

· The second film adaptation of the tale became “Malб morskб vнla” (1976, Czechoslovakia), which directed the Czech - Karel Kachyтa.

Plot: The little mermaid rescues a prince from drowning and falls in love with him. To be with him, she makes a deal with the evil sorceress: her beautiful voice against a life on land. It seems to work at first; the prince is enchanted with her lovely appearance. But the memory of a foreign princess still haunts him: The one who found him on the beach where the mermaid had left him, and whom he (of course) believes to be his saviour. So, prince fall in love with the peregrine princess and they marry. After they went on their honeymoon on the ship and take with them the little mermaid. Father sends dagger to mermaid. If she kills the prince with a dagger, she can to return to the sea. But she can't to do it and she turns bunches of flowers, when the sun dawns. So she saves life of Prince - his ship isn't broken on the reef.

Movie, certainly, is beautiful. But the play of actors, including the Little Mermaid, was too weak. Mermaid looked too distant. She is mysterious, but in this enigma no feelings. She is too cold. In the whole film lacks soul.

A later mermaids appears in the film but not as a main characters. However, they still are an integral symbol of sea magic in movies. I highlighted two of these films, in which the images of mermaids especially shining.

· Mermaids appeared in the movie “Hook” (1991, United States, directed by Steven Spielberg). This three mermaid sisters who live on the shore of the island. They similar each other, but everyone has something different. One has red hair and a pink tail, second has green hair and tail the color of grass, and third has purple hair and purple tail. They are beautiful and playful. However, they are really kind and they saved the life of the main character.

They kissed him and gave him the air, in which he needs. It means that in their dominated bright side.

· Second film, in which the image of a mermaid was also important called “Magic Island” (1995, United States, directed by Sam Irvin). Jessie-Ann Friend as Lily, who is so named by the fish, for "Lily" means "Mermaid" in "fish-talk." She saves Jack's life (the main character in film) when he almost drowns. By saving his life, she is allowed a wish and uses it to gain legs and join Jack Carlisle on his adventures. She is good-natured and curious, but sometimes she can be too touchy and even vindictive. She is reasonable, but she can never refrain of the next adventure. She has a good sense of humor, and the most importantly, she is a very good and loyal friend.

Further followed whole series of films, which is entirely devoted to the mermaids. Moreover, in every movie mermaids appear to us in a completely different light.

One example of these movies can be “She Creature” (2001, United States, from Venezuelan director Sebastiбn Gutiйrrez). The main character of this film is a mermaid looks beautiful. But in reality, she is absolute monster. She drinks the blood of other people and kills them. She is a very insidious and lures people into her trap by wonderful song. This image taken over by the creators of the black-and-white film, The She Creature 1956 (by American director Edward L. Cahn). Both these mermaids want someone else's blood. And this is not surprising because there are many tales of mermaid's cruelty.

Strangely different from the previous movie the other, called the “Mermaids” (2003, USA). This is film directed by Ian Barry about trio of mermaid sisters who band together to avenge their father's death. However, despite its improper desire of revenge, they still remain human. In this, merpeople are magical creatures who gain legs when dry and a tail when wet, an idea that was made famous by the film Splash. All merpeople are said to have an "object of power" which they are bound to, if someone else possesses their object of the power, the merperson has to obey them unconditionally. They are also bound to grant one wish of anyone who asks it of them, no matter if it literal or metaphorical. The three sisters in the film also have other magical abilities: Diana has super strength and Venus can hypnotize men to obey her. June is shown talking to sea creatures (a sea lion at the sea park), and Venus is seen lifting a heavy treasure chest telekinetically underwater, but it is unknown if these abilities are exclusive to each [8]. But in reality they have fun and enjoy of life, like any young girls. In the end, they realize that revenge is a bad feeling and help people, which needed. This is another example of the good mermaids.

Perhaps, the most well-known example in which although not for long but mermaids appear in movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005, United Kingdom and United States, directed by Mike Newell from England). Lake was the second trial for Harry in the tournament. He was must to save his friends from captivity of merpeople, that is, mermaids. The merpeople of Hogwarts have greyish skin and long, wild, dark green tentacles. Their eyes are yellow, as are their broken teeth, and they wear thick ropes of pebbles around their necks as necklaces. Their powerful, silver fish tails allow them to swim expertly, while the upper parts of their bodies resemble those of humans. Merpeople are also very tall, and during the second task, Harry encountered one in the lake near Hogwarts who was seven feet tall with a long green beard and a choker of shark fangs, carrying a spear. Merpeople can breathe above the waves for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat. Merpeople society is based around organised communities, and they have a great love of music. Their language is known as Mermish, and only a few wizards know how to speak it. However, since their language can only be heard properly underwater, it sounds like a loud screeching when spoken above water. Their customs and habits are mysterious. But they're smart and fair, although they have differed sharp temper. So, in the film merpeople are shown as ancient and wise underwater nation.

And the last film in which a mermaids were, called “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011, United States, directed by Rob Marshall). Half woman, half fish, they rise up from the waves to lure men into their arms. As creatures of legend and lore, mermaids, while beautiful, were also feared creatures, being referred to as "sea ghouls, devilfish" and known for their dreadful hunger for flesh of man. The average mermaid had the appearance of a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair, and skin flecked with scales. From the waist down, however, a mermaid was comprised of a long, shimmering scaly fish like tail. Further undermining their conventional beauty, mermaids hid sharp, fang-like teeth in their mouths. The true form of mermaids however was very different to their beautiful guise; The mermaids of Isla Sirena had hair the colour of the sea and pearly skin covered in scales but if viewed peripherally, they lost their outward beauty and seemed to transform into creatures with clawed tentacles, fangs, and barnacles and boils covering their scales. They often spoke in harmony, singing a melody commonly attributed to the Sirens.

Mermaids possessed superhuman strength and were strong. Mermaids were known to have special abilities. It was common knowledge that a kiss from a mermaid would protect a sailor from drowning. In legends concerning the Fountain of Youth, particularly the Profane Ritual, a mermaid's tear was one of the required items needed in order to make the Fountain work. Mermaids have been described by Blackbeard (person in the film) as being tough and strong willed, making it rare for them to genuinely shed tears [9]. But as proud and ferocious as the seas in which they live, mermaids do not weep lightly. It was said that tears of joy were the more potent.

Mermaids also appeared to have some degree of psychic ability. Not all mermaids were vicious. Some were capable of having a compassionate and loving side. But such cases are the exception rather than the rule. So, mermaids in the film are ambiguous. They are ready to kill without reason, but, at the same time, they can sacrifice their life to save a beloved.

Conclusion of the first chapter.

This part of my work some described the main films in which the image of mermaids is so important. They are matrons of enchantment, entreating sailors with beguiling beauty, grace and mesmerizing melodies. Seductive and charming, all those in contact with mermaids are subject to their persuasion. It unites almost all mermaids in the cinema.

2. Comparative analysis

So. Which countries make movies about mermaids most often? Let's compare the attitude of the authors of various countries to the mermaids and will draw conclusions about the attitude to the mermaids in entire countries.

Table (used only those films that are mentioned in the research).

References

[1]. Andersen, The Little Sea Maid//Fairy Tales and Other Stories. 1914 (translated by William Alexander Craigie and Jessie Kinmond Craigie)

[2]. Harper Collins, Collins English Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged. HarperCollins Publishers. 2003.

[3]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid.

[4]. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004391/.

[5]. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/D/DaughterOfTheGods1916.html.

[6]. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/49930940.

[7]. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056233/.

[8]. http://cbl.orcein.net/thelittlemermaid/othermermaids/mermaids.htm.

[9]. http://pirates.wikia.com/wiki/Mermaid.

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