The film industry has been dominated by men since its beginnings at the turn of the nineteenth century with misogyny and discrimination aplenty. Latest figures reveal that patriarchal assertion has not faltered, with women accounting for only six percent of the directors of the top two hundred and fifty domestic grossing films in 2007. The problems surrounding limited production of female influenced film is what Laura Mulvey describes as the “male gaze”. This is where the audience are made to observe the world through the male’s eyes and as such women on screen are often subject to the male erotic gaze, where women are perceived as objects through the micro elements of film E.G. camera angles and shots may focus on the parts of women that men find most sexually attractive. Mulvey asserts the idea of fragmentation where women are rarely seen in long full body shots but in compartments. Indeed, using a gendered critical approach such as Mulvey’s allows assessment of how and if a film challenges previous gender conventions, or does it contribute to existing stereotypes that ultimately create an unrealistic version of our social reality.
A recent example of the “male gaze” is perhaps evident in the film “Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life” directed by Simon West in 2003. There are various fragmented shots of her large breasts and full lips, disputably parts of the female anatomy a heterosexual man would find alluring. However, the benefit of applying a gendered critical approach is that the character of Lara Croft can be deemed to sit in a grey area. Though, micro elements such as camera shots, costume, lighting and sound point to visual stimulation for men, the characters attributes such as knowledge, confidence and power assert that Croft is a potentially positive role model for women in the real world. The premise that the character of Croft was initially invented by men justifies her voluptuous physique however, the context in which she was created in the midst of a feminist movement of “girl power” suggests that the creators maybe embraced this movement and created an ultimate women; one with brains and beauty.
Therefore, in essence Croft can be seen to challenge previous gender conventions of women being less intelligent and strong than men though, she is perhaps generic in the social expectation for women to be beautiful.
Furthermore, gendered critical approach is vital for critics who wish to measure how ground breaking or subversive a film is. A gendered critical approach provides a basis on which to judge the meaning and value of a film, which if judged highly could reap financial rewards as well as eminence within the industry. Such is the case with the film “The Piano” directed by Jane Campion in 1993. A gendered critical approach allows people to look beyond the initial scope of colonial issues within the film and recognise the typical issues males and females in Victorian times would have faced but their alternative ways of dealing with them. “The Piano” is a milestone in cinema and a text book example of how gender study can influence the making of a film. For example, the film presents men as objects and women as subjects. The female protagonist Ada can be seen pulling a curtain to reveal an unclothed male named Baines. The position of the camera slanted down towards him suggests it is Ada who is scanning his body and thus, alternatively presenting a “female gaze”. The setting of the film in an idiosyncratic time and place, Victorian New Zealand, serves to highlight the importance and significance of the mute Ada’s acquisition. Ultimately, gender studies allowed the director Jane Campion to obtain recognition for her subversive portrayals of men and women in strict Victorian society.
In the case of “Thelma and Louise” directed by Ridley Scott in 1991, a gendered approach to the film stirred up controversy over the American penile system and its inability to protect women. On a micro scale though, gendered critical research on the film explored and highlighted the notions of gender and how they were changing and evolving. It also provided an argument to the contrary that the film was merely “toxic feminism” and suggested instead that it flipped gender roles around, subverted the generic road buddy movie genre and most importantly forces men to be held accountable for their oppression of women.
In conclusion, applying a gendered critical approach encourages audiences to be more selective and critical about what they watch. It also pushes people to consciously question how what they see influences their opinion of others specifically other genders. Essentially gendered criticism all comes down to defining and then breaking the patriarchal structure of film meaning fighting for more female influence in the making of films. Ultimately, it can educate future film makers to avoid gendered stereotypes and eventually create equality of representation within film.
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