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Introduction
The temporal background of Bones and All is intertwined with the 1980s American backdrop, a period in American history marked by economic instability, political conservativeness, and cultural fascinations with outsiders and wanderers. The novel takes place during Reagan America, when individuality and autonomy were powerfully pronounced, but when a great number of people, particularly those existing on society's peripheries, struggled with poverty, dislocation, and personal demons. -
Introduction Cont.
This landscape contributes to the ideas of survival and solitude within the novel, as Maren and other "eaters" inhabit a world that contains minimal support or acceptance for those who cannot conform to society. The broad, open roads of America serve both as a route of flight and as a symbol of loneliness, reflecting the lifestyle of individuals who cannot stay in one place due to their monstrous appetites. -
Introduction Cont.
The novel's focus on cannibalism as illness can also be interpreted as reflecting 1980s fears and anxieties. This was a decade heavily influenced by the AIDS epidemic, which created widespread hysteria and sustained a social propensity to view those suffering from uncontrolled or poorly understood illnesses as menacing. The cannibals in Bones and All are symbolic representatives for those who endure secret compulsions, addiction, sickness, or other stigmatized conditions. -
Introduction Cont.
Additionally, the book's themes find relevance in the 1980s popularity of true crime, in which serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy were making news. The idea that average-looking individuals could be possessed of dark, violent tendencies was a topical fear, and the novel's theme of eaters—individuals who are normal-looking but compulsively hungry—is especially relevant. The book excels at grounding their supernatural premise in real-world fears of isolation, addiction, and violence. -
Artifact #1
This image depicts Maren and Lee in a purely human and normal way, more than emphasizing their monstrous nature. The setting is a normal, cozy diner with cozy lighting, wooden lattice dividers, and other diners who are engaged in normal behavior. Maren and Lee are enjoying a calm, intimate dinner, and their body positions express familiarity and focus towards each other rather than something sinister. Their looks at one another are soft and attentive, rather than aggressive and vile. -
Artifact #1 Cont.
The other people sitting around them contribute to the ordinariness of the setting. There is no feeling of impending danger or horror here—just two human beings in a peaceful moment, having a meal and a chat. The contrast between their monstrosity (which the audience knows from the story) and this deeply ordinary moment makes them appear more sympathetic, blurring the line between human and monster. This in turn suggests that they are human beings seeking connection, love, and understanding. -
Artifact #2 https://youtu.be/pS39xt8uqOE?si=NLTFzDDq1tquGUBd
This video includes interviews by the filmmakers on the thematic intentions of the film. In Bones and All, themes of isolation, survival, and the journey for belonging are prominent. Filmmakers can discuss their choices in composition of particular scenes to build these themes. This helps the audience better understand the underlying layers of the movie, improving their film experience by providing context as to why some of the creative decisions were made. -
Artifact #3 https://youtu.be/_XLj-xxc3So?si=q_47Q8QCRMYi1Y2A
Taylor Russell's interview gives the audience an inside glance at how she thoughtfully approaches her performance on Bones and All. It emphasizes how invested she is in the character and themes and working with Luca Guadagnino and the entire team. The interview adds depth to her performance as it reveals how complex her character is and how emotionally charged the violent storytelling of the film is. -
Artifact #3 Cont.
This is an investigation that makes the audience's experience of Maren's journey more intense so that she is not merely a character carried along by fantasy but a human, believable heroine grappling with terrible inner conflict. -
Artifact #4
This map can show the economic downturn in certain regions, with small towns shrinking or abandoned. For a film based on characters who are in a peripheral position, the map can subtly reinforce notions of alienation and survival in a world where nothing is certain. The inclusion of maps showing wide-open rural landscapes can heighten the sense of loneliness, causing the viewer to feel the weight of being "on the road" in a vast, often inhospitable nation. -
Artifact #4 Cont.
It heightens the emptiness and isolation the characters feel. A 1980s map in Bones and All is not just a map for navigation — it adds depth to the emotional and thematic planes of the film. By grounding the characters' journey in the actual world of history and geography, the map adds authenticity, enables their interior movements, and highlights themes of loneliness, survival, and seeking connection. -
Artifact #5 https://deadline.com/2022/09/bones-and-all-standing-ovation-timothee-chalamet-taylor-russell-luca-guadagnino-venice-film-festival-1235106505/
Years later, cast and crew interviews can decide how the film will be recalled and even learned about. Post-release interviews and award events enable actors and directors to veil the survival, hunger, and loneliness themes in a way that no one is even aware of while watching it for the first time. Post-award interviews with Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell, or Luca Guadagnino give context to the lasting significance of the objects of the film. -
Artifact #5 Cont.
Interviews will often discuss how objects within the world influenced performances, guided the filmmaking, and added depth to character development. -
Bibliography pt.1
“1988 Columbus Cincinnati Dayton Ohio Vintage Map Coaster - Ceramic Tile: All Mapped Out: Washington, DC.” ATTIC.City, 23 Dec. 2021, attic.city/item/JCKa/1988-columbus-cincinnati-dayton-ohio-vintage-map-coaster-ceramic-tile-repurposed-1980s-rand-mcnally-map-handmade-cities-midwest-/all-mapped-out.
“Come Behind the Scenes of ‘Bones and All’ | Timothee Chalamet, Luca Guadagnino, Taylor Russell.” YouTube, 17 Nov. 2022, youtu.be/pS39xt8uqOE?si=NLTFzDDq1tquGUBd. -
Bib pt.2
Goffe, Nadira. “Is Cannibalism a Healthy Diet? An Expert in Human-Eating Explains.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 21 Nov. 2022, slate.com/culture/2022/11/bones-and-all-timothee-chalamet-cannibal-diet-explained.html
“In Depth Scoop | Taylor Russell Spills Secrets on ‘Bones and All.’” YouTube, 24 Nov. 2022, youtu.be/_XLj-xxc3So?si=q_47Q8QCRMYi1Y2A. -
Bib pt.3
Tartaglione, Nancy. “‘bones and All’ Premiere Gets 10-Minute Standing Ovation at Premiere – Venice.” Deadline, Deadline, 2 Sept. 2022, deadline.com/2022/09/bones-and-all-standing-ovation-timothee-chalamet-taylor-russell-luca-guadagnino-venice-film-festival-1235106505/.