Research- Theorys

Feminist Film Theory and Audiences

Laura Mulvey

Visual Pleasure and Narrative

Cinema(1975)Cinema reflects societyTherefore cinema reflects a patriachy society. How does a patriarchal society manifest itself in cinema?An example: Patriarchy and phallocentrism are linked. The phallus is the symbol of power. Note how guns are used in films.

GUNS= PHALLUS=POWERThe Gaze:

The gaze of the camera is the male 'gaze'.

The male gaze is active, the female is passive. Within the narrative male characters direct their gaze towards female characters.The spectators(audience) is made to identify with the male look, becuase the cmarea films from the optical, as well as libidinal, point of view of the male character.Thus three levels of the cinematic gaze- camera, character and spectator, that objectify the female character (the triple gaze).

Therefore the audeince is constructed as though everyone was male. Women are foreced to look as though they were male audience member.

Agency

In the classical Hollywood cinema the male protagonist has agency he is active and powerful. He is the agent around whom the dramatic action unfolds.The female character is passive and powerless and she is the object of desire for protagonist and audience.

Erotic Desire

Mulvey argues that women have two roles in films.
As an object of erotic desire for the characters
As an object of erotic desire for the audience.