Significance of Photos in Silence of The Lambs

I have recently watched The Silence of The Lambs. Near the climax of the story, there is a part when Agent Starling goes to Frederica Bimmel's room and opens a secret compartment in a musical box.

Then she examines the photos of Fredrica.

What is the significance of these photos in contributing to the overall plot, does it have anything to imply who took those pictures? Or does it lead to Jamie Gumb (aka Buffalo Bill)?

Edit: Starling already knew that Bimmel knew her killer before even reaching Frederica Bimmel's house. She and her friend Ardelia Mapps had discussed the significance of Lecter's words at the HQ itself.

Best Answer

IIRC, this is when Starling realizes that Bimmel likely knew her killer, as they were both tailors. It was while making contact with other local tailors that Starling spotted the Death's Head Moth at Gumb's house, and knew he was Buffalo Bill.

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What do the pictures mean in Silence of the Lambs?

IIRC it was Catherine with the racy photos in the book and they were simply sex photos. But they did imply that Bill/Jame did have a relationship with Fredrica so they could have added these photos to the film as a hint to that relationship.

What is the message behind The Silence of the Lambs?

The theme of the movie is murder - that's fairly obvious from the first scene. The central character is a serial killer who eats his victims; the film is about the search for a serial killer who kidnaps women and skins them.

What is the significance of the butterflies in Silence of the Lambs?

Even after he's finished with his victims, Bill leaves a symbol of death within them; most likely left in their throats because these moths can squeak, thus mocking the unlucky souls' fearful screams.

The Silence Of The Lambs Theory That Changes Everything

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