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The Devil Is a Woman

Name: The Devil Is a Woman
Director: Josef von Sternberg
Released: 1935
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

1935

Director

Josef von Sternberg

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film is a stylized melodrama that excels in subverting traditional gender power dynamics. By centering a strong female lead, it challenges the passive female stereotype common in mid-century cinema. However, the film's impact is limited by its reliance on an Orientalist aesthetic. The focus on an expatriate social class prevents a deeper exploration of the local racial and cultural landscape. Ultimately, the film explores individual ability to act and the destabilization of social roles, though it remains tethered to a Western-centric perspective.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Devil Is a Woman have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on heterosexual relationships and desires, without addressing non-binary gender identities or critiques of societal norms related to sexuality.

How does The Devil Is a Woman portray gender?

Good

Concha Perez challenges traditional power structures through her role as a femme fatale. She uses her independence and intelligence to disrupt male-dominated systems and societal stability.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Devil Is a Woman?

Fair

The North African setting offers a non-Western backdrop. However, the story focuses more on aesthetics than on the ability to act and experiences of the local population.

How does The Devil Is a Woman represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story highlights personal survival and moral ambiguity over religious principles. It avoids singular moral frameworks, emphasizing character integrity within a transient social context.

Does The Devil Is a Woman include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender power dynamics through a strong female lead.
Highlights the importance of female independence and intellect.
Explores complex themes of obsession and moral ambiguity.

Limited or Absent

Relies on an Orientalist aesthetic rather than a nuanced exploration of culture.
Lacks depth in representing the ability to act of the local population.
Maintains a Western-centric perspective that limits racial and ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

In the carnival in Spain in the beginning of the Twentieth Century, the exiled republican Antonio Galvan comes from Paris masquerade to enjoy the party and visit his friend Capt. Don Pasqual 'Pasqualito' Costelar. However, he flirts with the mysterious Concha Perez and they schedule to meet each other later. When Antonio meets Pasqualito, his old friend discloses his frustrated relationship with the promiscuous Concha and her greedy mother and how his life was ruined by his obsession for the beautiful demimondaine. Pasqualito makes Antonio promise that he would not see Concha. However, when Antonio meets Concha, she seduces him and the long friendship between Antonio and Pasqualito is disrupted

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