Carrie Film Analysis

Introduction
The film Carrie (Brian De Palma, 1976) follows the protagonist Carrie White, Sissy Spacek, who is a shy high school student residing in a small town. After receiving her first period, she acquires telekinetic powers, which turns her world around; especially since she did not understand what the change meant for her as a new woman. Although Carrie is a horror film, the underlying meaning points to feminism as it embarks on the discovery of power, and threatening the patriarchal order. Carrie is a feminist film where fear comes not in blood or telekinesis, but the fears of a strong woman. The film uses cinematic techniques to further push this implicit meaning by ways of cinematography, mise-en-scene, and editing.
Cinematography:

During the prom scene, the camera revolves around Carrie and Tommy slowly as they are dancing to give off a romantic state. Suddenly the motion accelerates faster, almost out of control to hint that something bad is brewing. When Carrie goes to accept Prom Queen, the shot becomes slow motion to build suspense until they drench her in pig’s blood. This later shifts to Carrie visible on only one side of the frame to suggest the instantaneous effects of Carrie’s wrath. In the first frame, the audience is able to witness Carrie’s sharp head turns, widening of eyes and gazes as she sets her sights on a tormentor. While in the second frame, viewing the simultaneous response as the victim is being murdered by her psychic power. These editing techniques assist in the message of feminism as Carrie holds superiority, and total control over both frames of the scene as well as her supernatural capabilities. This ultimately hints towards the women’s liberation movement, as Carrie is now free from her

Cinematic techniques of mise-en-scene, cinematography, and editing helped to exhibit this underlying meaning. The technique cinematography focuses on the male gaze by incorporating a peeping-tom impression with its camera angles, and reflecting on the way in which women treat other women as if to comment on female empowerment. While mise-en-scene helped tackle the topic of reproductive rights, and innocence through the prop of blood and costumes. Lastly, editing further examined this theme of feminism by including motion and slip-screen to show total control, and liberation.The film views feminism as becoming self-aware, and taking control of feminine power even if it means causing destruction to a system that causes