Special Edition No. 5 - Film Stills No. 2. Monsters - 1980

This special edition of Cahiers du Cinéma, titled "Monstresses", explores the complex and often disturbing portrayal of women in cinema through a collection of essays and striking film stills. The magazine is divided into thematic sections, including "Fantômes" which delves into the spectral presence of actresses and the haunting power of images, particularly focusing on figures like Gloria Swanson, Falconetti, and Eva Perón. "Tres Sonetes de la Muerte" offers a poetic reflection on death and beauty through the lens of cinematic figures. The section "La Fiancée" examines the trope of the monstrous bride, while "Amours cruelles" delves into themes of violence and desire, as demonstrated through films with explicit content and/or sexual themes. Finally, "Méduse, etc." investigates the use of disguise, camouflage, and transfiguration in female characters and stars. Throughout, the magazine combines historical and theoretical approaches to the topic, presenting a provocative and multifaceted study of the "monstrous" feminine in cinema.