The Heterotopia of Dance: Imagined Spaces in Dance Films
Hanyang University
Hanyang University
Abstract
Dance films, as a cinematic genre that integrates bodily art with narrative expression, profoundly reflect the tension between social power, bodily discipline, and the expression of freedom through the dynamic construction of space. This study aims to explore the characteristics and narrative functions of heterotopian spaces in dance films, revealing their representation and significance in the relationship between power and freedom. Adopting a qualitative analytical approach, the study uses Foucault’s theory of “heterotopia” as its central framework and examines three classic dance films—The Red Shoes, La La Land, and Black Swan—across dimensions such as spatial characteristics, power and the body, and narrative function.The findings reveal that heterotopian spaces, through the interplay of virtual and real, reflect multifaceted considerations of artistic ideals, social discipline, and individual freedom in dance films.This study enriches the application of heterotopia theory in film studies, provides new perspectives on spatial design and narrative strategies in dance films, and further deepens the understanding of the relationship between art and socio-cultural structures.
Keywords:
Heterotopia, Dance Film, Power and Freedom, Spatial Construction, Narrative AnalysisCopyright Notice & License:
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