Feminist film theory Feminist view film to be a cultural practise representing myths about women and femininity as well as men and masculinity. (They see this type of representation as unreal)

Representation and Spectatorship are central to Feminist Theory.

The roots of feminist film theory.

Started as a social movement.

Early feminist theory and criticism was directed at the stereotyped representation of women in classic Hollywood film.

This stereotyped image of women in classic Hollywood had a negative effect on female spectators.

Therefore, their was a call for a more positive representation of women in Hollywood.

In Classic Hollywood film a drive towards a more positive representation of women was not enough.

Main Problem: Classic cinema narrative is constructed by men. Therefore, representing women from a male perspective.

In Classic cinema the representation of women was how men viewed women.

Do you think men have had a specific view of women within Film??????

The representation of women in Classic film is to look Natural, Realistic and Attractive.

Within Classic Film Narrative the following generally takes place:

The Male character is established as active and powerful. The story will unfold around him.

The Female character is passive and powerless. She is the object of desire for the male character.

(The Male Gaze) Male point of view.

Voyeurism: how we get visual pleasure through looking at (Characters, figures and situations).

Camera: physically shoots from the male Characters point of view.

Characters: male character is viewing and gazing at the women.

Spectator: you are made to identify with the male characters and simple view a women as a spectacle.

Narcissistic: visual pleasure derives from the spectators self-identification with the characters and environments.

Hollywood is tailor made for male desires.

Counter cultural of feminist film from the 1970s onwards.

Destroy classic male narrative.

Destroy the Male Gaze getting rid of visual pleasure designed for the male audiences.

How did they change classic conventions???

Female characters started to question their position within classic cinema.

Spectators attention is refocused on how the female characters exists within classic narrative.

Is their a female spectator?????

Does the female spectator identify with passive images of femininity???????

Do female spectators identify with Masculine characters?????????????????

Do female spectators have a desire when viewing characters within film?????????????

Consider modern Hollywood films

Sex and the cityTomb RaiderUnderworld

Do these films empower women????

Are they still male dominated narratives???????

The women may appear in control and strong, but this may just be a role reversal placing the women within the male position within the narrative. (Is this a positive female representation?????)

What does it take for a film to represent females positively??????????

When considering your essay:

Identify and discuss the roots of feminist film theory. Look at a classic film.

How have women been represented in classic Hollywood cinema:

The way they look?

Their power within the narrative?

Consider the Male gaze?

• Camera. • Character. • Spectator.

Look at a modern film: How has the representation of women changed?

Is this a positive representation?????

• Role reversal? • Is there now a female spectator?