Rapunzel Let Down Her Hair

“Rapunzel had beautiful long hair that shone like gold. When she heard the voice of the witch [crying, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!"] she would… unbind the plaits of her hair, and let it down…” – “Rapunzel”, Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales

What is striking about the Grimm’s version of Rapunzel is how macabre it is. Rapunzel is locked in a tower, forced to cater to an ugly witch’s needs. Her prince’s eyes are gouged out. And yet, somehow, the story ends happily ever after. Rapunzel is a victim in the story, vindicated by a prince. My twist on the story is putting the power in Rapunzel’s hands, she chooses whom she “lets her hair down” for. She takes command, not needing a prince to save her from utter despair.

In my version, Rapunzel is locked in a dilapidated room in an old, abandoned warehouse. She is plotting her escape and her revenge. Her hair is a symbol of her independence, since in the original story her hair is the means by which she was oppressed.

Below are some outtakes from the shoot. I loved the close ups with Rapunzel and her braid, but I felt they looked a little too studio like for my narrative series. It was really difficult for me to choose the right warehouse room shot; I liked so many of them! But I felt the one I chose was the most dynamic and fit my theme of “defiance” the best.