Visual Construction of Identity in Coming-of-Age Films: a comparative analysis of psychological development in "Adolescence" and "Lady Bird"

Resumo

This study examines the visual construction of adolescent psychological development in contemporary independent cinema through comparative analysis of Ashley Avis's "Adolescence" (2018a) and Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird" (2017). Employing qualitative methodology combining visual analysis and narrative examination, this investigation explores how distinct independent filmmaking approaches employ cinematographic techniques to represent the psychological complexities of adolescence. The findings reveal that "Adolescence" utilizes drug-induced visual aesthetics and color temperature shifts to externalize trauma and escape. At the same time, "Lady Bird" employs memory-filtered cinematography and color palette differentiation to represent identity formation through familial relationships. Both films demonstrate sophisticated visual strategies for externalizing internal psychological states, suggesting that independent cinema has developed nuanced approaches to representing adolescent development that extend beyond traditional narrative techniques. This analysis contributes to understanding how contemporary independent filmmakers utilize visual language to articulate psychological experiences, offering insights into the intersection of film studies and developmental psychology.