Weekend Engagement Topics-Week 191: Obsessions of Cinema.

When I was younger I was obsessed with Marilyn Monroe, a woman I was attracted to as a child for her beauty and mischievousness. My obsession with Marilyn Monroe lasted throughout the years, her beauty, talent and turbulent personal life contributed to create a cult around her image, and turned her into a symbol of femininity and sensuality.

Marilyn Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jeane Mortenson, throughout her career, starred in numerous films, and became one of the most influential actresses of Hollywood's golden age.

Watching her films I was always captivated by her physical beauty, her talent as an actress and investigating a little more into her tumultuous personal life. She was a voluptuous blonde, who managed to become the ideal of beauty of the time and remains a reference in popular culture. Her gait, seductive gaze and captivating smile have been imitated by numerous women who wish to emulate her style and femininity.

However, Marilyn Monroe was a talented actress who knew how to play both comic and dramatic roles. Her screen presence was magnetic and her ability to convey genuine emotions made her one of the most beloved and admired actresses of her time.

Her multiple marriages, tumultuous relationships and mental health issues made her a symbol of fragility and vulnerability. Her tragic end, with her untimely death at the age of 36, left a sense of emptiness and waste, which further enhanced her myth.

Some see her image as a stereotypical representation of femininity, perpetuating unattainable ideals for ordinary women, I question the objectification and sexualization of her figure, she has become an object of desire rather than a real human being.

I believe that behind her image as a dumb blonde was a shrewd woman with great intelligence. I understand that Marilyn Monroe was a passionate reader and had a wide knowledge on a variety of subjects. Despite the difficulties she faced during her childhood and her complicated professional career, Monroe sought refuge in books and literature. She read a wide variety of genres, from literary classics to philosophy and psychology.

She was also a very observant woman who, throughout her life, had the opportunity to meet many prominent personalities from the world of film and politics.

Marilyn Monroe had an IQ of 165, surpassing Albert Einstein by 5 points. She used her image and talent to advance her career. She understood that the entertainment industry had a business side and made an effort to learn about marketing and promotional strategies. Despite being seen as a sex symbol, Monroe made sure to assert her talent and negotiate contracts that allowed her to have more control over her career.

Now, my current obsession is VHS tapes. Before the advent of digital formats like DVD or Blu-ray and even Streaming, there was a very popular form of entertainment: VHS videotapes. These tapes became a widely used medium for watching movies, TV shows and even recording special moments in our lives.

This obsession with VHS tapes may seem strange at a time when most of us have access to streaming services, digital downloads and a wide variety of devices on which we can watch our favorite movies. But for those like me who are obsessed with these tapes , these analog objects represent more than just a form of entertainment, I'm very drawn to the nostalgia.

I grew up watching movies on VHS, and this technology is intrinsically tied to cherished memories. The texture of the tape, the distinctive sound when placed in the player, and the feeling of being able to rewind or fast forward through a movie are all part of this experience.

In addition, the VHS box covers are true works of art, with unique and eye-catching designs. Some collectors like myself seek out specific videotapes just for the cover artwork, making them collectors' items.

In an ever-changing world, there are those who find solace and satisfaction in the past, in physical objects that evoke memories and emotions. VHSs fulfill this function for me, keeping alive a form of entertainment that for some will never go out of style.

This is my participation in the initiative suggested by @galenkp Link Here, developing the following topic:

What are you obsessed with and why? Answer and explain one for the present and one from your past. Remember to use your own photos.

Best regards to everyone in the community.

All the pictures are my own and were taken with my Umidigi F2 cell phone.

The collage is by my author and was made with the Canva Graphic Editor. The cutting of my image was made with the Clipping Magic program, being this the original image:

Happy Weekend to all !.