Contemporary Transnational Remakes. The Swedish "Män Som Hatar Kvinnor" (2009) and the Hollywood Production "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (2011)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Definitions

2.1 Transnationalism

2.2 The Remake

2.3 Contemporary Transnational Remake

2.4 What is Gender?

3. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – A Transnational Remake

4. Characterization

4.1 Lisbeth Salander

4.2 Mikael Blomkvist

5. Comparison of the Character Constellation

5.1 Character Constellation in Män Som Hatar Kvinnor

5.2 Character Constellation in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

6. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

The primary objective of this thesis is to examine how the characters in David Fincher's remake, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," differ from their counterparts in the original Swedish film "Män Som Hatar Kvinnor" regarding behavior, appearance, and character representation. The study investigates how these changes influence the viewer's perception of gender roles and the overall character constellation.

• The theoretical foundation of contemporary transnational remakes.
• Comparative analysis of Lisbeth Salander's characterization across both films.
• Comparative analysis of Mikael Blomkvist's characterization across both films.
• Investigation into how altered gender roles affect the power dynamics within the narrative.
• The impact of casting and performance on the perception of masculine and feminine ideals.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the topic of transnational remakes, focusing on the rapid American adaptation of the Swedish film "Män Som Hatar Kvinnor" and outlines the thesis goal of analyzing character and gender role modifications.

2. Definitions: Explains key academic terms including transnationalism, the definition of a filmic remake, contemporary transnational remakes, and theoretical concepts of gender, masculinity, and femininity.

3. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – A Transnational Remake: Discusses why the film qualifies as a transnational remake by comparing production contexts, narrative similarities, and stylistic choices while highlighting initial evidence of character differences.

4. Characterization: Analyzes the individual portrayals of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, focusing on their physical appearance, body language, and behavioral traits in both film versions.

5. Comparison of the Character Constellation: Explores how the interaction and power dynamics between Lisbeth and Mikael shift between the original and the remake, specifically focusing on how these constellations reinforce or subvert gender roles.

6. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that the American remake significantly alters the gender dynamics and character perception compared to the Swedish original, ultimately resulting in a more conventional portrayal of gender.

Keywords

Transnationalism, Remake, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Män Som Hatar Kvinnor, Gender Roles, Masculinity, Femininity, Lisbeth Salander, Mikael Blomkvist, Character Constellation, David Fincher, Film Analysis, Globalization, Hollywood, Narrative Adaptation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental subject of this academic work?

This thesis examines the differences in character depiction and gender role representation between the Swedish original film "Män Som Hatar Kvinnor" and its American remake "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo."

What are the primary thematic fields covered in the research?

The research covers transnational film studies, the theory of remakes, character analysis, and the sociological and media-based construction of gender, masculinity, and femininity.

What is the central research question?

The study aims to determine how the characters in David Fincher's remake are substantially different in behavior and appearance, and how these changes fundamentally alter the viewer's perception of gender roles and character constellations.

Which scientific methods are employed in the analysis?

The work uses a comparative film analysis approach, focusing on scene-by-scene comparisons of character behavior, body language, and mis-en-scène, supported by cultural studies theory.

What does the main part of the thesis address?

The main part provides an in-depth characterization of the two protagonists, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, followed by a comparative analysis of their relationship and interactions throughout the narratives.

Which keywords characterize the work?

Key terms include transnationalism, remake, character constellation, gender roles, Lisbeth Salander, Mikael Blomkvist, and filmic adaptation.

How does the remake change the portrayal of Lisbeth Salander compared to the original?

The remake portrays Lisbeth as more vulnerable, youthful, and shy, contrasting with the tough, aggressive, and highly independent character seen in the Swedish original.

In what way is Mikael Blomkvist's gender role portrayed differently in the remake?

In the remake, Mikael is depicted as a more traditional, dominant masculine figure who takes charge of the narrative, whereas in the original, he displays more feminine-coded traits such as emotionality and dependency.

What is the significance of the "character constellation" in this thesis?

The character constellation serves as a framework to analyze how the power dynamics between the two protagonists are flipped; the study shows that while the original features a "gender-swapped" dynamic, the remake reverts to more conventional societal gender norms.