FEMMES fatales from Greta Garbo to Marilyn Monroe are to be feted in a retrospective of seductresses on the big screen.

The season is part of the Birds Eye View festival of women in film, which opens this Thursday.

Monroe will be seen in Niagara - the 1953 film which confirmed her reputation as a box office draw. Organisers have also selected Garbo's performance in 1926 film The Temptress and Rita Hayworth's turn in The Lady From Shanghai, from 1947.

Film academic and festival programmer Kelly Robinson said early films presented women as stronger, more interesting characters than movies today. "They're not just about seducing men. They're intelligent women and want to be in control of their lives. It's not passive."

The season also includes Pandora's Box with Louise Brooks, Double Indemnity with Barbara Stanwyck, and more recent hits such as Body Heat with Kathleen Turner. Six silent movies will be presented with live scores by performers including DJ duo Broken Hearts and cellist Natalie Clein.

The festival is the flagship event of the organisation Birds Eye View, which celebrates international women filmmakers.

It runs until 13 March at BFI Southbank and the Institute of Contemporary Arts and will be opened by Golden Globe-winning actress Sally Hawkins.

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