The Role of the Femme Fatale and Background History

It could be argued that the classic femme fatale which began the stereotypical image for devious women within films and media is Carmen from Georges Bizet's french opera, 'Carmen'. The story of Carmen is set within a tobacco factory. The character of Carmen is permiscuous.

This production was brought to the world through the film 'Carmen' directed by Carlos Saura. This film contains the story of the opera 'Carmen' yet portrayed through the means of a group of Spanish flamenco dancers in rehearsal. The director of this stage production falls in love with the dancer Carmen. The ferocity and passion of the flamenco dancing can be seen in the video posted below.

This film is incredibly clever however because in the end Carmen is stabbed to death. This film is shot in such a way that the audience does not know whether the death is real of whether it is simply a rehearsal and this is part of the plot line. The finale of Carmen is posted below. Notice that Carmen's costume is dressed in black perhaps suggesting the colour of death and darkness/evil. The simple red dress hinting at violence, anger and blood. The scene mentioned here is posted below.



The name of Carmen used within the novel 'The Big Sleep' written by Raymond Chandler is a direct link to Bizet's 'Carmen'.