The Male Gaze

How convinced are you by Laura Mulvey’s arguments about classical Hollywood film’s reproduction of the male gaze? What films you’ve seen fit into this category? Which maybe do not?

Solution

Sample Response 1

I think Mulvey’s essay is quite compelling, and I concur that it makes a solid foundation for feminist film theory. Her work sets out how women are represented and dealt with by film and the 2 options that are commonly used seem to be extremely accurate. I still observe this in modern film, when male audiences are subjected to an excessive sexualization of women. For instance, Black Widow, Wolf of Wall Street, and most action films. I can’t recall any films that exhibit voyeurism, although I haven’t been looking for it before now. The arguments made were supported by philosophically sound examples and justifications. I firmly believe in feminist film theory and find it interesting to evaluate films with this modern perspective.  

Personally, I disagree with the notion that, as Freudian philosophy has led to, a woman’s existence is merely the absence of a man or male genitalia. Although I do recognize that, due to internal coincidences, men may perceive women as a threat or an anxious circumstance. In my opinion, this idea of how men in phallus-based societies regard women as a problem is really true, and I find similarities between it and how influencers and podcasters treat women in today’s media.

Sample Response 2

I am somewhat convinced by Laura Mulvey’s arguments about classical Hollywood films’ reproduction of the male gaze. I think she makes a strong case that many classic Hollywood films objectify women and position them as objects of the male gaze. For example, she points out that many classic Hollywood films use techniques such as close-ups, low-angles, and voyeuristic camera movements to sexualize women and put them on display for the male viewer. However, I also think that Mulvey’s argument is somewhat limited. She focuses primarily on mainstream Hollywood films, and she does not consider the possibility that other types of films, such as independent or experimental films, may challenge or subvert the male gaze. Additionally, Mulvey’s argument is based on a psychoanalytic framework, which some people may find problematic. Overall, I think Mulvey’s arguments are thought-provoking and important, but I also think they need to be considered in the context of other perspectives on film theory.

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