LEE MILLER

LEE MILLER

lee miller

NOTION : REPRESENTATIONS-> representing the world and representing oneself KNOWLEDGE, CREATION, INNOVATION -> production of knowledge

QUESTION :

To what extent has Lee Miller challenged stereotypes and changed the world of photography ?

FINAL TASK : oral expression You are the curator of the new exhibition at the MOMA entitled "Lee Miller : an artist with many faces". Record a two-minute audioguide in which you will describe and analyse at least 3 of her photos from different themes.

first, let's learn some vocabulary

click on the logo to get acces to the vocabulary list

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Is a picture worth a thousand words ? why ?

PART 1

MODEL AND PHOTOGRAPHER

LEE MILLER IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA

PAIRWORKPICTURE DESCRIPTION

PUPIL B DO NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURES Your mission is to sketch / draw the picture that your partner will describe to you, with as many details as possible. You can ask them questions

You will each have a different role

PUPIL A LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND PICK ONE Describe it as precisely as possible to your partner, who can't see it, so that they can sketch/draw it.

Lee solarised by Man Ray, c. 1930

Lee Miller by David E. Scherman, Vogue Studio, London, 1943

Lee Miller in steel helmet specially designed for using a camera, Normandy, by an unknown photographer, 194

Portraits of Lee Miller as an Arlésienne by Pablo Picasso, 1937

LEE MILLER BEHIND THE CAMERA

GROUPWORK : WORLD CAFE

You will be divided in 6 groups

THE THEMES - portraits of celebrities - the Blitz in London - the war - the extraordinary in the ordinary - fashion photography - Lee Millers' self-portraits

Step 1 : 15 minutes Each group will work on photos which explore one of the themes and fill in the analysis worksheet Step 2 : 5 minutes for each theme Each group will move around to discover the other themes and add some reactions.

LEE MILLER BEHIND THE CAMERA

portraits of celebrities

the Blitz in London

the war

Enzo / Clémentine / Louann / Mohana / Adam D

Mona / Carla / Zineb / Adam B / Mathieu

Noah / Axel / Maryem / Leila

Lee Miller's self portraits

the extraordinary in the ordinary

Lina / Célia / Leeroy / Salma

Lola /Noémie / Rojda / Emmanuelle

fashion photography

Hafsa / Méline / Laurent / Elouane

PORTRAITS OF CELEBRITIES

Man Ray, Paris, 1931

Colette, Paris, 1944

Charlie Chaplin, Paris, 1930

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning, 1955

THE BLITZ IN LONDON

Piano by Broadwood, London, 1940

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

Non conformist chapel, London, 1940

Remington silent, London, 1940

Revenge on culture, London, 1940

• Women with fire masks, London, 1941

Theatre of war, Surgeon and anaesthetist, Normandy, 1944

THE WAR

Dead SS prison guard floating in canal, 30th April 1945

Released prisoners in striped prison dress beside a heap of bones from bodies burned in the crematorium, Buchenwald, 1945

Boot and ammunition, Saint Malo, 1944

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

Exploding hand (Guerlain shop front), Paris, 1930

Portrait of space, near Siwa, Egypt, 1937

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY

Model Elizabeth Cowell wearing Digby Morton suit, London, 1941

Sandra models for Pidoux, London, 1939

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

LEE MILLER'S SELF PORTRAITS

Lee Miller, self-portrait in headband, 1932

Lee Miller, self-portrait, Paris, 1930

Use the worksheet to discuss the photos

Read the opening lines from the book "The Lives of Lee Miller" by Antony Penrose on which the 2024 film is based

PART 2

THE FILM

FILM POSTERS

What are the film poster conventions? (= What are the ingredients of a film poster?). Do not forget that a film poster is a form of advertising.

FILM POSTERS

Compare your answers to the usual film poster conventions and circle the ones you forgot :- film title - actor’s name - key image - tagline or slogan - release date - list of cast and crew - age classification

FILM POSTERS

Other useful words to analyse movies are:- genre - audience and demographic - connotation - denotation - protagonist/antagonist - narrative - representation - stereotype - USP (unique selling point) Do you know what these words mean?

• Connotation = an idea or feeling which a word, an image or a colour invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

• Denotation = the literal or primary meaning of a word, image or colour.
• USP = unique selling point

• Describe and analyse the film poster for Lee using the specific vocabulary you just learnt about.

• What type of film do you expect to see?

• What aspect of Lee Miller's life will the film cover?

• What may the spectators’ response to the film be?

THE AMERICAN POSTERThe actress’s name is prominent. ‘Kate Winslet is Lee’ is the slogan. It means that Kate stars as the lead actress and that she did such a good job that she has become Lee Miller. The actress is shown moving. It seems that it is an action-packed film. The main character is shown from a low angle. Lee looks directly ahead of her. These elements combine to represent Lee as a strong, bold and confident woman who is at the centre of the story. The camera also grabs our attention. This is a film about a war photographer. The name of the cinematographer Ellen Kuras is also prominent. Ellen Kuras has become a household name as she directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.The film will probably focus on Lee Miller’s career as a war photographer. The film may be very emotional.

THE AMERICAN POSTERThe __________’s name is prominent. ‘Kate Winslet is Lee’ is the __________. It means that Kate stars as the __________ actress and that she did such a good job that she has become Lee Miller. The actress is shown moving. It seems that it is an __________-packed film. The main character is shown from a __________ angle. Lee looks directly __________ of her. These elements combine to __________ Lee as a strong, bold and confident woman who is at the centre of the story. The camera also grabs our __________. This is a film about a war __________. The name of the cinematographer Ellen Kuras is also __________. Ellen Kuras has become a household name as she __________ Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.The film will probably focus on Lee Miller’s __________ as a war photographer. The film may be very __________.

Compare and contrast the film posters for a French target audience and for anAmerican target audience.What are the similarities and differences? What grabs your attention first? According to you, which of the two film posters will attract a bigger audience? Why?

THE FRENCH POSTERThe film poster for a French audience focuses on Kate Winslet as the lead role in Lee Miller. Both posters depict an A-list Hollywood actress. The French poster may be more engaging as the actress is looking at the viewer and taking a photo.Ellen Kuras is not famous in France so her name is not prominent on the French poster.

Watch the trailer

Each group will focus on 1 element : - group 1 : the sound, the key words and sentences and the music - group 2 : the camera and the camera shots (long shots, mid-shots or close-ups, the angles, the movements, the points of view) - group 3 : the mise en scene (the clothes, the lighting, the colours and the locations) - group 4 : the performance (the actors/actresses, the emotions and body langage)

What genre does the film Lee belong to ?

PART 3

THE FILM

PART 3

pacing, faster music - tenseslow music - emotional tonal coulour : brassy / bright / dark / scratchy / harsh / warm / mellow / peppy / heavy / light

LEE MILLER'S REPRESENTATION IN THE FILM

Here is the script of a discussion between Lee and her son Antony.

LEE: I tell you about all these pictures. I give you all my stories. What do I get in return? ANTONY: Does it have to be so transactional?’ LEE: That’s what life is. l’ll tell you a story about me if you tell me a story about you.

• What impression do we get of Lee ?
• What does she want ?
• What can we infer from the mother and son conversation about their relationship ?
• During a conversation, Lee says: “I’d rather take a picture than be one.” What do these words mean ?

We can say that Lee first seems venal as she bargains her photos and stories to her own son. However, we can also imagine that she wants to transmit her inheritage. Lee may not have been on good terms with her son. So she is probably trying to mend relations. She thinks they can share stories.Lee is not self-centred. She is interested in the world around her. She wants to document what she sees. She is more interested in being a photographer than in being a model. She intends to express herself.

METHODOLOGIE LA SYNTHÈSE

INTRODUCTION

The recent release of the biopic entitled "Lee Miller" showcases the life of the American artist at a time when women had to struggle to make their way.The set of documents under study, composed of two extracts from Lee Miller's biography written by her son, and two portraits of her, lead us to the following question : to what extent can Lee Miller be considered as a modern fairy-tale protagonist ?

I : a priviledged beginning1. a wealthy background doc a. a leisurely / "purposeless life" / doc b. she can afford travelling to Paris doc c. sophistication or her photos with a shimmering / glittering background of a rich Manhattan 2. a natural beauty doc a. everyone agrees that she is attractive "she was an instant success" / doc c "blonde and blue-eyed model" II : conflicts and magic 1. she barely escaped drama doc a. she nearly died "a near accident changed everything" / with only inches to spare doc b. she landed in the worst place ever (the ugliest building in Paris) and her expectations were dashed / doc c. at war 2. magical intervention of prince charming doc a. her rescuer was a self-made king of love and he offered her a job doc b. her prince charming appeared from nowhere III : a modern personality 1. from passive to active doc a. she has no control of what is happening / doc b. she is taking her destiny in her own hands / doc c. she is determined, active, going forward 2. from fragile to strong doc a. she collapsed / doc b. determined, decided, strong-willed and doesn't take no for an answer, bold / doc c. from model to photographer

CONCLUSION

The documents we have studied clearly revealed that Lee Miller was an avant-gardiste woman and artist who refused the limitations that were set by society, and who asserted herself and her need to have her voice heard. This led later to a wonderful career that enhanced the power of women in art.

In real life, Lee Miller was also alwaysan extraordinary woman. Her rise to fame was the result of serendipity. She became a model and a Vogue cover girl by a stroke of luck. a/ Imagine a tall story about how Lee Miller may have shot to fame as a model overnight. b/ Now read about the stroke of luck that Lee Miller had and that led to her extraordinary life. Is her story different to the one you made up? How?

Lee Miller on the cover of Vogue magazine - Illustration by Georges Lepape, 1927

In real life, Lee travelled to France, determined to become an assistant to surrealist artist Man Ray. She decided to turn unexpected at his studio and to ask him to become his assistant. Imagine the conversation between the two very stubborn artists, Man Ray and Lee Miller. Now read about the true events as they unfolded. Find elements that show that Man Ray and Lee Miller are "larger than life" characters.

The film explores the fight against Nazism and injustices

During one scene which is set in Mougins, France, in 1938, a newsreel of Hitler’s 48th birthday is shown. Lee and her friends comment on the newsreel.

What are the characters saying about Nazis ? How do they feel about Nazism ? And what attitude do they have ?

The film explores the fight against Nazism and injustices

Photography Documenting the atrocities of war, Lee sent her photos of Dachau and a telegram to Vogue. The telegram read “I implore U to believe this is true.”Why did Lee have to make this statement ? Why was she prescient ?

The characters are convinced that Nazis are dangerous copycats. They condemn Nazism. They feel disgusted by the turn of events.Lee feared Vogue might think her photos were trumped-up photos.

Lee in Hitler’s bathtub

Focus on the iconic photo of Lee in Hitler’s bathtub in Munich in 1945, as recreated in Ellen Kuras’ Lee

The original photo is here

This photo was taken by David E. Scherman on April 30, 1945. Lee Miller and David E. Scherman had been in Dachau in the morning, on the very same day. Lee took a bath in Hitler’s tub and she and David E. Scherman would later learn that on the very same day, across Germany in a Berlin bunker, Hitler and his new wife, Eva Braun had committed suicide.

Lee in Hitler’s bathtub

Imagine what Lee Miller was thinking when she was in Hitler’s bathtub. - What may have she said to David E. Scherman who was assisting her for this staged photo?- What props did she use? - How is Hitler represented in the photo? - Why are her boots symbolic? (Think of where Lee Miller had just come from). - How does Lee feel in this photo? - What message does she want to convey? - Compare and contrast the photos of Lee Miller and David Scherman in Hitler’s bathtub

Lee Miller may have told David E. Scherman to be quick and to make her feel and look as victorious and relaxed as he could.She used a photo of Hitler and a sculpture. Hitler is seen as authoritarian. Lee’s boots are symbolic as Lee had been wearing these very boots in Dachau in the morning. Lee Miller has stomped the filth and mud of Dachau into Hitler’s pristine bathmat. Lee looks defiant and victorious. She hopes that Hitler will soon be defeated. David E. Scherman was also photographed in Hitler’s bathtub but he does not look as relaxed as Lee

Let us look at women and the war

Listen to an interview of Kate Winslet – “Kate Talks ice baths, raising chickens, and her new film” - Vogue – Start at 2:16.

Why was Lee Miller so fascinating according to Kate Winslet ? Pick out the adjectives she uses to describe Lee. What kind of woman is Lee ? Do you think that actress Kate Winslet is perfect in the lead role of the film ?

Kate Winslet greatly admires Lee Miller. She finds her courageous, daring and determined. She challenges the way Lee Miller is often portrayed as a ‘cracked, broken, tricky, middle-aged woman’.According to Kate Winslet, Lee’s resilience and courage were paramount. Kate Winslet is also a strong-willed and beautiful woman and a great actress. She will be outstanding in the lead role.

photoarchivenews

Photo Show: ‘Lee & LEE’ – matches Lee Miller images to new feature film stills staring Kate Winslet

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Surrealist Lee Miller

Another Mag

Lessons we can learn from Lee Miller