"Ah, Lacan!"
out of all the gruesome, unforgettable images whirling around in my head after seeing Suspiria on halloween, i keep coming back to this offhand comment made by dr. klemperer. it's a bit difficult to tell if his, "Ah, Lacan!" is sneering or impressed, if the doctor rejects or regards the controversial french psychologist's work. either way, there is definite validity in applying it to the film, especially since directer luca guadagnino comes from an academic background.
so let's talk film theory, ladies and germs! i have a cinema studies degree and i swear to god i'm gonna use it for something!
Lacan's theory of the "mirror stage" refers to the moment that infants begin to recognize themselves in…