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Published on 14 August 2024
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Wu,K. (2024). Maternal Ambivalence in Lucrecia Martel’s Salta Trilogy. Communications in Humanities Research,35,198-203.
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Maternal Ambivalence in Lucrecia Martel’s Salta Trilogy

Kunpeng Wu *,1,
  • 1 The Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University International Department

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/35/20240069

Abstract

Lucrecia Martel is celebrated as one of Argentina's premier female directors, with her distinctive body of work gaining international recognition. This paper delves into Martel’s oeuvre, particularly her acclaimed Salta Trilogy: The Swamp (2001), The Holy Girl (2004), and The Headless Woman (2008). Through a close examination of these films, the paper explores Martel’s unique narrative style, which is notably characterized by a childlike perspective and an unconventional emphasis on sound. These elements play a crucial role in shaping her portrayal of motherhood within the trilogy. The analysis reveals that Martel presents motherhood as a multifaceted and often contradictory experience, deeply influenced by personal, familial, and societal pressures, encapsulating the concept of maternal ambivalence. By investigating the intricate relationships between mothers and their children and the recurring motif of “the call,” the paper underscores the emotional disconnection and psychological struggles inherent in these maternal roles, offering a profound insight into the complexities of motherhood as depicted in Martel’s films.

Keywords

Lucrecia Martel, Salta Trilogy, maternal ambivalence, motherhood

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[7]. Ladd-Taylor, Molly, and Laura Umansky. (1998) “Bad” Mothers: The Politics of Blame in Twentieth-Century America. New York; London: New York UP.

[8]. Phelps, David. (2008) “Dread Deseyourt, Part I: ‘The Headless Woman’ (Martel, Argentina).” Mubi. 23 Oct. Web. 16 June 2015.

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[10]. Lange-Churión, Pedro. (2012) “The Salta Trilogy: The Civilized Barbarism in Lucrecia Martel’s Films.” Contemporary Theatre Review 22.4: 467–84.

Cite this article

Wu,K. (2024). Maternal Ambivalence in Lucrecia Martel’s Salta Trilogy. Communications in Humanities Research,35,198-203.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Art, Design and Social Sciences

Conference website: https://2024.icadss.org/
ISBN:978-1-83558-449-1(Print) / 978-1-83558-450-7(Online)
Conference date: 18 October 2024
Editor:Enrique Mallen
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.35
ISSN:2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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