The film’s fragmented structure allows for a nonlinear exploration of themes and motifs, encouraging the audience to piece together the narrative like a puzzle. The elliptical storytelling style emphasizes the subjective nature of memory and experience, as the protagonist’s fragmented memories and hallucinations blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
Symbolism and Imagery
The film is saturated with symbolism and imagery that evoke themes of beauty, desire, and the female gaze. The titular “sleeping beauty” is both a literal and metaphorical figure, representing the protagonist’s idealized and objectified image of herself. The recurring motif of mirrors and reflections symbolizes the protagonist’s preoccupation with her own image and the ways in which she is perceived by others.
The film’s use of color is also highly symbolic. The predominant use of pink and blue creates a visually striking contrast that reflects the protagonist’s conflicting desires and emotions. Pink, traditionally associated with femininity, represents her idealized self-image, while blue, associated with masculinity, symbolizes her suppressed desires and unfulfilled potential.