This article considers four films released in American independent cinema since 2000 that contain examples of female masturbation as linked with shame within the character constructs: Mulholland Dr. (2001; dir. Lynch), Secretary (2002; dir. Shainberg), Margot at the Wedding (2007; dir. Baumbach), and Black Swan (2010; dir. Aronofsky). Utilising formalist analysis of the relevant masturbation sequences in the films, along with psychoanalytic theory in relation to both masturbation and the concept of shame, this article aims to demonstrate how these films frame masturbation as negative and transgressive, and link autoerotic behaviour to the concept of shame within the development of the characters.
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Black Swan (2010) Twentieth Century Fox. Dir. Darren Aronofsky. Perfs. Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis.
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Boogie Nights (1997) New Line Cinema, Lawrence Gordon, Ghoulardi Film Company. Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson. Perfs. Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds.
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Kick-Ass (2010) Marv Films, Plan B. Dir. Matthew Vaughan. Perfs. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz.
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Margot at the Wedding (2007) Paramount Vantage. Dir. Noah Baumbach. Perfs. Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
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Mulholland Dr. (2001) Universal Pictures. Dir. David Lynch. Perfs. Naomi Watts, Laura Herring.
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Punch-Drunk Love (2002) New Line Cinema. Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson. Perfs. Adam Sandler, Emily Watson.
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Secretary. (2002) Lions Gate Films. Dir. Steven Shainberg. Perfs. James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal.
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Squid and the Whale, The (2005) Samuel Goldwyn Films. Dir. Noah Baumbach. Perfs. Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney.
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Stoker (2013) Fox Searchlight Pictures, Indian Paintbrush, Scott Free Productions. Dir. Park Chan-Wook. Perfs. Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman.
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There’s Something About Mary (1998) Twentieth Century Fox. Dirs. Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly. Perfs. Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller.
