This is the scene in Norman Bates’ office which is next to room 1 where Marion is placed. The peep hole is actually placed behind a picture which adds to the effect of being watched and being trapped. Laura Mulvey’s theory and ideas on the male gaze are put into practise in this seen. Here we are put in the position of being a voyeur like Norman which can be very uncomfortable for the viewer. Alfred Hitchcock was an auteur very much like the critic behind the theory, Andrew Sarris. In real like, Hitchcock was a voyeur himself. He once invited a lot of Hollywood stars to a room and then watched and laughed from behind a two way mirror when they discover he had dyed all the food blue. This is similar situation to this very scene. Norman’s office is a creepy location, with stuffed birds dotted around the room. Marion is perceived as the female victim when we see her through Norman’s peep hole. From this scene we start to feel a sense of voyeurism and sadism, the thought of Norman being a pervert or stalker now comes in to consideration. We see a medium shot of Norman peering through the hole and then a long shot of Marion getting undressed in her room. The peep hole border is around the camera so this has been shot from a point of view angle, drawing us into a situation we do not want to see.
No comments:
Post a Comment