From Perversion to Purity The stardom of Catherine Deneuve [Paperback]

Catherine Deneuve is indisputably one of the world's most celebrated actresses, both in her native France and throughout the world. Her career has spanned five decades during which she has worked with the most significant of French auteurs, as well as forging partnerships with international directors such as Bu?uel and Polanski.

The Deneuve star persona has attained such iconic status that it now symbolises the very essence of French womanhood and civic identity. In this wide-ranging and authoritative collection of essays by a selection of international film academics and writers, the Deneuve persona is scrutinised and illuminated. Beyond the glamorous iconographic status of Yves Saint Laurent's muse, and the epitome of sexual inviolability, Deneuve's status as actress is foregrounded.

The book will be essential reading for students and lecturers in star studies.

Introduction

Lisa Downing and Sue Harris

1. Polanski's Deneuve. 'Frigidity' and Feminism

Lisa Downing

2. Bu?uel Blonde

Peter William Evans

3. Demy and Deneuve: The Princess and the post-68 Fairytale

Susan Weiner

4. Deneuve's Italian Interludes

Pauline Small

5. Incongruous Femininity: Catherine Deneuve and 1970s Political Culture

Bridget Birchall

6. 'Madame La France': Deneuve as Heritage Icon

Sue Harris

7. Of Faces and roles: Deneuve/T?chin?

Bill Marshall

8. Deneuve in the 1990s

Cristina Johnston

9. The Killing of Sister Catherine: Deneuve's Lesbian Transformations

Andrew Asibong

10. Belle Toujours : Deneuve as Fashion icon

Fiona Handyside

A studious but approachable collection of essays and discussions, this should more than satisfy admirers of the star, as well s more serious students keen to explore the myth and meaning of her important contribution to international cinema.

Lisa Downing is Professor of French and Dirlã=