Cinematography and Editing
The film’s cinematography and editing techniques contribute to its dreamlike and disorienting atmosphere. Long, lingering shots create a sense of suspended time, while the use of close-ups and extreme close-ups emphasizes the protagonist’s isolation and emotional turmoil.
The film’s editing is fragmented and elliptical, mirroring the protagonist’s fragmented state of mind. Jump cuts and dissolves create a disorienting effect, blurring the boundaries between memory, fantasy, and reality. The film’s sound design is equally disorienting, featuring a mix of ambient noise, electronic music, and silence that creates a sense of unease and disconnection.
Cultural and Historical Context
Julia Leigh’s Sleeping Beauty is a contemporary retelling of the classic fairy tale, exploring themes of beauty, desire, and the objectification of women. The film reflects the social and cultural attitudes of its time, particularly the objectification and sexualization of women in the media and popular culture.
