MovieChat Forums > Nóz w wodzie (1963) Discussion > Sexual symbols in the movie

Sexual symbols in the movie

posted 20 years ago by NuYorkie
7 replies | jump to latest

Sexuality and especially distorted sexuality is one of Polanski's favorite theme throughout his entire career.

In "Knife in the water" these two elements/objects are sexual in themselves. Knife is a fallic symbol, water is feminine symbolizing wetness.

Two males playing a sexual game with the knife putting it among the spread fingers first slowly than faster and faster is a symbol of the penetration and intercourse.

Knife falls into the water.

Other elements:

The Boy is trying to harness the mast, symbolizing his raging sexual drive.

I saw this movie ages ago so my memory needs refreshing. Any other scenes that come to your minds?

[–] Buddy-51 20 years ago

I did notice that there was a lot of Christ symbolism in this film:

the shot of the mast looking like a cross

the shot from above of the boy stretched out like Jesus

the boy's "walking" on the water

[–] tjantus 19 years ago

One thing that comes to mind as a recurring theme--related to distortions of sexuality--is the voyeurism. The young man peeking at the wife when she's changing; this is the main plot of the short "Teeth Smile", is prevalent throughout "Rosemary's Baby", and shows up in various forms in most of Polanski's other films if I'm not mistaken.

[–] CaucasianMale 18 years ago

i think you've got 'em pretty much covered in the OP

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[–] red_wyrn 18 years ago

I can't help but wonder if those themes were intentional or if you and the op have placed them there because you know that the director had explored them in his latter film.

Mostly, I wonder that because it seems to be a bit of a stretch.

[–] tieman64 17 years ago

It's probably just a subconsious thing. The first film's of a lot of directors often give a thematic clue as to what the rest of their filmography will entail.

Polanski obviously did pepper "knife" with themes of sexuality, repression and religion, he's just not developed his ideas clearer at this stage. His budget and his storytelling skills would only blossom with The Tenant. You look at Kubrick's Fear and Desire, Hitchcock's Lodger or Cameron's Terminator...all these first or early films, highlight the themes their respective directors would revist throughout their careers.

"Rape is no laughing matter. Unless you're raping a clown."

[–] NuYorkie 17 years ago

...or if you and the op have placed them there because you know that the director had explored them in his latter film.

Quite the other way around. We don't need to see all his movies to get that impression. "Noz w wodzie" is about sexual power struggle so masculine elements are emphasized. Obviously Polanski didn't use a knife purely because it has a suggestive shape. Knife is a tool defining masculinity that carries an element of danger. It's our choice to interpret something literally or symbolically or both.

Same with other motives. Take his early short "Lampa"(The Lamp). It's utterly frightening and creepy to watch those burning dolls that look like dead children slowly consumed by flames. One can't help but think his childhood war memories found an outlet in this peculiar way of showing horror.

[–] Rand-o 16 years ago

The movie just oozes sexuality. At times it's so thick, you can cut it with, well, a knife.

I turned 'Stranger' into 'Starman' in the Sunday New York Times.