Cat People remains a rare sort of film that demands close scrutiny, as its filmmakers have steeped the narrative and formal presentation with thematic symbolism and a rich emotional substance that parallel its psychologically complex heroine. None more so than this 1942 release, as evidenced by the film’s remarkable artistry its themes of inwardness, alienation, and repressed desire and its effective use of what the viewer does not see. Lewton’s desire to elevate the low-budget “B” production resulted in literate, restrained films that explored the depths of the human psyche. Working with modest budgets, Lewton’s productions used economically convenient shadows and narrative ambiguity that created a richer, more involving experience for his audience. Legendary producer Val Lewton, whose short-lived career at RKO in the 1940s realized some of classic Hollywood’s most atmospheric and haunting pictures, had few resources with which to make his short run of horror films. Cat People’s most brilliant moments were born out of the necessity for inventive filmmaking.
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