In 1930, the "Hays Code" was implemented. In order to ensure the "pure" of the film, the content related to crime and sex was strictly restricted, and the creative space of filmmakers was severely squeezed. The code was officially cancelled until 1966. "Summer Fantasy" was created in 1959, just in time for the validity period of the Hayes Code. In those days, "incest", "homosexuality", "pedophile" and "promiscuity" are topics that are now extremely sensitive and are stuffed into the same film. It is really a dance on the tip of a knife.
The film never clearly stated its theme and position from beginning to end. The relationship between Mrs. Venapo and her son Sebastian is very close, but there is no clear evidence that the two have cross-border behavior; Sebastian seems to have some special hobbies, but it seems that they are just the habit of dudes. Trick; and Sebastian's death sounds more like a legend about cannibals. Together they all seem to be in compliance (Hays Code). However, there is a mystery hidden between the lines, the camera and the setting.
The first sentence of Mrs. Venabo's appearance was "Sebastian always said..." before anyone heard her. Then she compared herself to an angel and a Byzantine emperor. In this scene with Dr. Kukovich, she asked about the doctor's name twice, and in the end simply called him "Doctor Suger" (Kukovich means suger in Polish). During the conversation with the doctor, she never cared what the other person said, she said wherever she thought, and interrupted the other person at will. Strong, arrogant, and self-centered, the image of Mrs. Venabo is basically established. The scene between 9 points and 29 points is entirely a dialogue between Mrs. Venabo and Dr. Kukovic. There is no comment from others, and there is no self-report of the character. The character traits of the characters have been talked about other people and other things from it. Revealed in his attitude. Even more ingenious is the metaphor of the Venus flytrap. As soon as Mrs. Venabo met the doctor, she took him to visit Sebastian's garden. Holding a small box of flies, she went straight to her collection of Venus flytraps, and while introducing the flies that smelled of Venus flytraps, she also introduced its habits. She called this carnivorous plant "Lady". This is her own portrayal, elegant and dignified, a Lady, but cruel and cold at the same time. Venus flytraps secrete nectar, attracting flying insects such as flies, and then use their jagged leaves to trap them and slowly digest them. When Mrs. Venapo talked about her dead son, Sebastian, we gradually saw the relationship between the Venus flytrap and this woman. Before Sebastian was alive, she raised him and used him; after Sebastian's death, she drew nourishment from the memories of him and survived. When it comes to her relationship with her son, she said "we were a famous couple", how to translate the word "couple", the audience can play freely. "People don’t say'Sebastian and his mother', or'Mrs. Venabo, mother and son.' They call us'Sebastian and Vera. His own handsome son "compared with each other" and was delighted. The handsome son is not only her pride, but also her playmate, a testimony of her charm, and a tool for her to satisfy her vanity.
At this time, Catherine Hepburn (played by Mrs. Venabo) is feeling sad for Spencer Qusay's illness. As a veteran drama player who has dominated the film industry for many years, not only has to endure the difficulties of the director Joseph Mankiewicz, but also has to subdue to Elizabeth Taylor on the cast list. This resolute actress may not be too happy in her heart. As the first actress to wear trousers to attend the Oscars, the role of Mrs. Venabo seems to be similar to Catherine herself. Both are independent, strong, and resolute, but Mrs. Venabo is "a step closer." She is selfish, cruel, and cold, and considers herself superior. Catherine Hepburn interprets this role well, being polite and arrogant when facing others, talking about her son Sebastian intoxicated and sentimental, and frightened and angry when she hears words that insult her son's reputation.
Mrs. Venab is indulged in sweet memories with Sebastian, but she still has one obstacle-Catherine, the niece who knows the real cause of Sebastian's death. Every summer Mrs. Venabó travels with her son. However, the summer when Sebastian died, he did not take Venabó, but Catherine. Venab was full of jealousy towards Catherine. She thought Catherine seduced her son and abducted him from her. Catherine revealed the truth, "Sebastian only needs you when you are still useful. He left you at home because you lost your attraction." What Sebastian needs is an attractive woman, and it doesn't matter who this woman is, she is just a cover, a tool for him to attract young and beautiful boys. Sebastian's sexual orientation and sexual fetishes are not explained in the film, but the name "Sebastian" may have some background. Saint Sebastian, a Catholic saint, is said to have a handsome appearance and a strong physique. The King of Gaul fell in love with him and wanted to further develop the relationship, but Saint Sebastian would rather be shot to death by random arrows than follow his life. . The naked image of San Sebastian with pierced arrows has always been a favorite theme of early Renaissance painters. A picture of Botticelli's "San Sebastian" happened to hang in Sebastian's studio.
The painting is half blocked, only the lower part of the body is exposed, and the cross-shaped shadow is also reflected on the painting. The shadow comes from the cross on the table in front, and the base of this cross is a skull. The shadow of the cross is skewed. If you guess from the light source, the shadow of the cross should not be at that angle. Sebastian's world is crazy and twisted. He is not satisfied with a same-sex partner, he wants to use his mother and cousin and his innumerable money to attract more young men, even boys. He consumed his life in drugs, drugs, and promiscuity. When those who had been played with him realized his weakness, they tortured him in some unspeakable ways, even killed him, and projected it into the film. , Is the cannibalism that Catherine recalled. The real fact is probably like Pasolini, was beaten to death by a gangster.
Mrs. Venabo described her son as an elegant, noble, and pure image. When Catherine said he was a promiscuous homosexual, Mrs. Venabo was outraged. She said Catherine was crazy and made Kukovic The doctor excised Catherine's brain so that she could no longer "speak nonsense". Dr. Kukovich, the man who was the only one who had been in front of Mrs. Venabo at the beginning, actually fought back. He tracked down the truth of the matter and even brought everyone together to confront him, just to protect Catherine. Ironically, Dr. Kukovic’s actor Montgomery Cleveland has a life like Sebastian. As the youngest child in the family, Montgomery has been loved by his mother since he was a child. His mother even hired a tutor for him and let him receive private education at home. From time to time, his mother would take him to travel to Europe. Montgomery's later acting career was also arranged by his mother. It was probably because his mother was too strong, which made Montgomery fear women. When the 17-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, who co-produced "Heart Like Iron", expressed his heart to him, he refused. In the 1950s, homosexuality could not be accepted by the public, it was rejected and despised. In that era, Montgomery was unable to be a gay man. He felt pain and confusion about his sexual orientation. Alcohol and marijuana became a way for him to relieve his distress. The filming of "Summer Fantasies" was at a low point in his career. Alcoholism and drug use made him very emotionally unstable. It was Elizabeth Taylor's insistence that earned him the role of Dr. Kukovic. Perhaps it is precisely because of his long-term control of his mother and his lack of self-confidence, and his alcohol and drug abuse behavior, Dr. Kukovich has a melancholy temperament, a sluggish, morbid beauty. , A non-masculine, more accessible aura.
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