Female Gaze vs. Male Gaze - Has There Been a Change?

It’s no secret that women have long since been objectified in Hollywood films. Surely though, in 2010, you’d have thought all that was behind us? Laura Mulvey’s still controversial article ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ published in 1975 first coined ‘The Male Gaze Theory.’ The theory highlighted how, in the majority of mainstream films, the audience are required to view the film from the males perspective.
However, slowly trickling in are examples of ‘The Female Gaze.’ A nod to the female audience. This however, is much, much rarer. Why? Because big blockbuster Hollywood films are generally manned (no pun intended) by men, meaning the films themselves are naturally more masculine.
A phenomenon of late, Twilight (2008), is a film that has the Female Gaze. Directed by a woman, Catherine Hardwicke, with the screenplay written by a woman, Melissa Rosenburg, adapted from a book written by a woman, Stephenie Meyer. With all the significant ‘creatives’ behind the film being women (which is a rarity) the film has a distinctly female feel to it. Lingering shots on Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) eyes, and even Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) clothing is comfortable and pretty, as opposed to clingy and sexy, which is what you expect of the female characters in films these days. The Female Gaze in Twilight is subtle, with emphasis on the eye connection and loving stares between Edward and Bella, this is hugely contrasted by the sequel, New Moon (2009).

The contrast stems from something obvious - the director was male. The Twilight Saga: New Moon director Chris Weitz took the helm of the franchise knowing its core audience are females, so to appease them, he too tried to put in the Female Gaze. This was done by scene after scene of half-naked Werewolf action.

This actually got a lot of stick from both critics and non-fans, but the blatant use of showing off their bodies is no different to how women have been portrayed for years. Take Transformers (2007) for example, Megan Fox’s character doesn’t really bring a whole lot to the plot or narrative of the film, she is there to look hot whilst working on cars or running away from the Autobots, and to be the prize girlfriend of Sam Witwicky (Shia Labeouf.) The nerdy kid bagging the hot misunderstood chick - there’s hope for you yet, Fanboys. All blatant Male Gaze.


However, Hollywood bosses are taking note that women watch films just as much as men, therefore, even in predominantly male targeted films, they’ll be the odd bare torso to keep the ladies happy. Or in the case of 300 (2007), lots of bare torso’s, even though the film was violent and bloody and very much male orientated, the fact Gerard Butler had no shirt on for practically the whole movie evened it out a bit.
Similarly, in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Angelina Jolie see’s Daniel Craig naked in the shower. Did that have to be one of Daniel Craig’s first scenes in the film? Was it a pivotal scene? No, but it was there as part of the Female Gaze, in a film bursting with Male Gaze (Do Lara Croft’s clothes really need to be that tight?)
Staying with Daniel Craig, in Casino Royale (2006), the director Martin Campbell, replicates the beach scene in Dr. No (1962). However, this time it is James Bond, a man, that walks out of the sea in just his little speedo’s, opposed to the 1962 first Bond film where Sean Connery’s James Bond (and all the male audience) can get a good look of the female actress, Ursula Andress, in her little bikini. This was done to re-establish the Bond franchise among a modern audience, an audience that wouldn’t warm to the misogynistic and womanizing Bond of previous films, therefore both the character and the way the films were constructed had to change to attract a new audience, including women.
The magazine Empire said ‘A triptych of some of the best of Bond gratuitousness (a quantity never in short supply). It's the witty twists on a Bond standard that make this one: from Ursula Andress' original encapsulation of everything a Bond girl needs (beauty, bikini, knife), through Halle Berry's orange update, to Daniel Craig's feminist inversion.’


And of course, the classic ‘Rom Com‘, or ‘Chick Flick’ either way they are most definitely films targeted towards women. Chick Flicks tend to be films about love and relationships, or shopping and fashion, things all women care about, apparently. However, even in Chick Flicks there are still instance of the Male Gaze, for example in Pretty Woman (1990).

This film was directed towards women and was supposed to be a story about love and relationships. But, when you look at it closer, Julia Robert’s character is pretty much always dressed scantily clad, and yes, her character is a prostitute, but showing off her body at any chance they can is blatantly Male Gaze. This is because most directors and writers within Hollywood are men, and the style and way they make movies has been ingrained in everyone so deeply it is just the natural way for people to both make and view a film these days.

Traditional Auteur vs. Contemporary Auteur - Is the theory still relevant?

Auteur Theory:

The Auteur theory originates from France and is rooted in the work of Andre Bazin, who founded the influential French film magazine Cahiers du Cinema in the 1950’s. The theory suggested that some film directors could be considered an Auteur (Author) meaning they have a distinct and recognisable personal creative vision that is apparent throughout their body of work.
Bazin and his contemporaries discussed and viewed many directors styles and picked out ‘tropes’ that could be seen in their individual work. The founders of the Auteur theory garnered controversy when they claimed even the worst auteur film had more value than the best film made by a non-auteur director.
The theory was popularised in the US by the American film critic Andrew Sarris, and it was he who coined the term ‘Auteur Theory’ in his essay ‘Notes on the Auteur Theory’ in 1962. Later, Sam Ferris identified 14 directors who he considered to be Auteur, they included John Ford, Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963) are examples of him being an auteur. Alfred Hitchcock films are always suspenseful. As a matter of fact, Hitchcock is actually known as the ‘master of suspense.’ For example, in Psycho, the audience know from the moment the murder takes place that the killer was Norman Bates mother (although, of course, the plot twist at the end shows that Norman Bates is his mother, or rather he dresses up as her.) The suspense comes from wondering if they will get found out. Another trope that could identify Hitchcock as an auteur is how in most of his films, he makes a subtle cameo. This is quite unusual for many films and film-makers, as it interferes with the illusion that the film is actually real life. Also, ‘The Blonde.’ In Hitchcock films it is very likely to see the main female protagonist as a blonde who is normally aware of her own power over men.


Another considered auteur is Michel Gondry. Gondry has distinctive visual styles throughout his work, such as the use of multi-media and bricolage. He also often uses tropes of childhood and failed relationships, and his protagonist is usually a male who is finding it difficult to leave childhood behind, a reflection on Gondry himself. He also mixes reality and fantasy together fluidly, and in the case of Science of Sleep (2007), it is sometimes hard to tell whether the main character is awake or living out a very realistic dream, which is referred to as being oneiric. The way Gondry signifies it is a dream to his audience is by using bricolage, such as a TV set made out of cardboard, or a bubble bath with blue paper and cotton wool instead of water and bubbles. Another trope of Gondry is the use of huge hands to signify the dream world, he uses this in Science of Sleep and even the music video for Everlong by the Foo Fighters.

However, Gondry is set to make Green Lantern - a DC Comic adaptation, which isn’t something auteur’s usually do. This is similar to the case of Tim Burton. Tim Burton’s style is evident throughout his body of work, he also uses many of the same actors in each of his films, namely Johnny Depp.

I would have no qualms at all in saying Tim Burton was an auteur when looking at his films such as Beetlejuice (1988) and Edward Scissorhands (1990), but with re-makes such as Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and Alice In Wonderland (2010), although clearly a Tim Burton film, with his style and vision, they are still re-makes or adaptations of something already known. However, if after the Green Lantern film, Michel Gondry is still considered an auteur, surely Tim Burton can be considered one too?

Bite Me

It’s no secret that Vampires seem to be all the craze at the moment. Vampires and tales of the paranormal have always been popular stories to tell, but it’s suggested that the recent surge in their popularity again might have something to do with the recent recession. In Media Magazine, Sam Trammel, an actor from the popular HBO vampire series True Blood (2009-Present) said “With the global recession, people have been wanting to escape and go to places where imagination goes.” Maybe that’s why vamps are doing so well lately?
Bookstores are full of vampire literature such as The Vampire Diaries (L.G Smith), The Morganville Vampires (Rachel Caine) and The Twilight Saga (Stephenie Meyer.)
These books have spawned other extremely popular media texts. The Vampire Diaries was adapted for a television series in 2009 and airs in the UK on the channel ITV2. The President of Warner Bros International Television, (which is the company behind the CW Television Network that the series premiered on) Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, stated: ‘…the acquisition of The Vampire Diaries by ITV2 proves that in-demand series will still generate significant interest…We are especially pleased to place this series targeted at the youth audience on ITV2, as we believe this is the perfect home for the show.’
Likewise, The Morganville Vampires series of books have been ‘optioned for film, television and multimedia by British Producer Charles Armitage of Noel Gay Motion Picture Company (UK).’ According to the series author herself on her personal website. This indicates, although the project has only been optioned, apposed to being a certainty, that it is still believed that vampire texts are bound to do well with audiences.
Of course, the rebirth of vampires (no pun intended) into the mainstream could arguably be put down to The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. ‘Meyer has sold 45 million books in the U.S. and 40 million more worldwide. Altogether her books have spent 235 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, 136 of them at No. 1. The movie version of Twilight…made $350 million.’ Pretty impressive, right?
So, speaking of Twilight. What’s the deal with it? Generally speaking it’s just a story of forbidden romance between a mortal girl and an immortal boy, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Which, if we are honest, isn’t anything particularly new. However, what Twilight managed to do was change up some of the old vampire lore (OK, so not everyone is totally thrilled about the idea of sparkling, vegetarian vampires, but 85 million people say they like it.) These changes made it feel fresher, and captured the hearts of tweens, teens and women all around the world.

Not to mention, Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) is kind of pretty. See?

The film rights to the novel Twilight were acquired by Summit Entertainment, which is an independent American film studio. There were quite a few production companies behind the film, such as Temple Hill Entertainment, Maverick Films, Imprint Entertainment and Twilight Productions to name a few. The production took place in the USA, and most scenes were filmed in Oregon and Portland - The Pacific Northwest, where the book itself was set. Principal photography took the cast and crew 44 days, with only the weather trying to work against them.
The film was directed by Catherine Hardwicke and released in November 2008, was made for a relatively small budget film, at least in Hollywood terms, anyway. It was made for $37 million, yet went on to gross an estimate of $384 million. Talk about a profit! It also stayed in your average Multiplex cinemas for two months, from release in November to the majority of cinema’s finishing it up at the end of January. Not a bad run. It was funded by producers; Greg Mooridian, Mark Morgan and Wyck Goddfrey. The executive producers were Guy Oseary, Karen Rosenfelt, Michele Imperato-Stabile and Marty Bowen. They were smiling all the way to the bank.


When it came to knowing the audience, Summit had an advantage as they knew the age and gender of the core fan base of the novels, mostly being 16-24 females. Therefore, when it came to marketing, they chose to show the relationship side to the story, apposed to the action or horror.
They also created a ‘need-to-see’ aspect to the film, especially amongst the existing fans by releasing teaser trailers, and even little sneak peaks before the final official trailer was released. They showed some key parts of the novel that fans would identify, such as when Edward saves Bella from the oncoming van. They also use captions instead of a voice-over in the trailers, adding extra tension to the dramatic scenes.
　
Twilight does not particularly use ‘stars’ to attract an audience. Most of the cast were quite unknown, with the two leads Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson probably best known for Panic Room (2002) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) respectively. The cast of the film quite a bit of publicity before the release of the film, appearing on chat shows such as The Ellen Degeneres Show and E! News.
On the official Ellen Degeneres Show website it says ‘The last time the sexy Robert Pattinson was here, "Twilight" hadn't yet been released. A lot has changed since then! Today the scream-inducing actor chatted with Ellen about all the attention he's getting, and shares some hilarious fan stories.’

The special effects in Twilight were not too gratuitous, but according to the director, Catherine Hardwicke in an interview with LA Times, the most challenging part was getting Edward to sparkle. ‘We had probably 10 special effects companies trying out experimental ideas on some footage we had to see how we can make him dazzle and sparkle and shimmer. Most of it wasn’t good. We ended up going with ILM (Industrial Light and Magic, George Lucas’ company) and they, of course, are masters at creating amazing effects. We did a full body scan of Rob, which we turned into a 3D model of him -- (laughs) there is a 3D model of Rob somewhere! -- and did all this very high-tech mapping of every surface of his face and body.’

The overall critical reception of Twilight was, well, quite critical really, but thankfully there were some nice people out there. ‘Director Catherine Hardwicke (who made Thirteen) captures perfectly the breathless thrill, fear and fascination of first love.’ Said Christopher Tookey of The Daily Mail, with Total Film adding, ‘Grey on the surface but florid underneath, this swoony supernatural romance may amuse and bemuse non-initiates but won’t leave the faithful betrayed.’ Audience reaction from the fans was mostly positive too, one fan on HisGoldenEyes.com, a Twilight Fan site, said ‘Personally I love the movie. I have seen it 5 times. I can't wait for the DVD. I think they cast everyone perfectly except for Rosalie. I still just don't see Nikki Reed as Rosalie. Everyone else was perfect. I liked everything they added.’ However, another added ‘I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either. I am stuck in the middle.’

But anyway, whatever the haters and critics said, it didn’t get through to Summit Entertainment, as New Moon, the sequel to Twilight did even better at the Box Office and is sure to make many more millions with it’s DVD release. As will Eclipse, the third installment. As will Breaking Dawn, the fourth. With fans like The Twilight Saga fans, these guys don’t have to worry about anything.

Now, not all vampire releases of late have been swoon-inducing, hormone filled love stories. Let the Right One In or Låt den rätte komma in as it is known in its homeland of Sweden, was directed by Tomas Alfredson and was released in 2008, based on the book of the same name written by John Ajvide Lindqvist, he also wrote the screenplay for the film.

The film is much darker than Twilight, although it too focuses on the relationship between the two protagonists. In Let the Right One In, a twelve year old boy, Oskar, is being bullied at school, and finds companionship with a girl named Eli, who happens to be a vampire. It’s a very sweet tale, but unlike Edward in Twilight, Eli comes across much more fearsome as she attacks and drinks the blood of humans, which is doubly disturbing when Eli is also twelve years old (more or less, as she says herself.)

The film is a co-production with production companies such as Filmpool Nord, Canal+, The Chimney Pot and more and is presented by EFTI and was filmed in the north of Sweden. ‘They found an area in Luleå [city in the north of Sweden] that’s built around the same time, at the time Blackeberg was built and the way it feels there... The images doesn’t look the same, but it feels the same way. So I think it’s absolutely, absolutely fine.’ Said John Ajvide Lindqvist in an interview with Ain’t It Cool News.

Let the Right One In was marketed towards English speaking countries by barely using subtitles in the trailers. To some viewers, this may mean they don’t realise it is a foreign film, so they go and see it. And of course, to the people who like foreign films it’s an enjoyable watch for them, too. Its poster campaign decided to show the film in an eerie, creepy light, apposed to the relationship between Oskar and Eli, this differs from what Twilight chose to do, because its audience were more invested in the romance than the horror, so their poster depicted that, whereas Let the Right One In chose to show the horror over the friendship in the poster. This may be to attract an older audience that are interested in arty, horror films, apposed to Twilight’s ‘tween’ audience.


Its production budget was 29 million SEK, and it got its funding from Svenska Filminstitutet (Swedish Film Institute) and then went on to make a worldwide gross of $10,795,387. When it came to the distribution, the worldwide distributors included Bolero Film, Cathay-Keris Films, Canana Films and Living Colour Entertainment, amongst others.
Critical reviews of the film were mostly complimentary, with Nigel Andrews from
Financial Times saying ‘The brilliantly eerie Let the Right One In is the European Angst Zone’s answer to Hollywood’s Twilight.’ With Kevin Harley from Total Film adding his two cents worth. ‘As cold as a corpse, as warm as love and thick with shady business in between, Alfredson’s chiller is moving and nerve-jangling. A vampire movie to nourish the heart, mind and fear glands.’

Audience reaction to Let the Right One In varied. A comment left on Play.com said ‘This film is fantastic. It is not a rip roaring typical vampire movie so don't get if wanting that. It is slow and understated with building suspense which adds to the quality. Best film I've seen this year.’ The February 2010 edition of Media Magazine also put in their viewpoint by stating ‘Despite being a fantasy in one sense, Let the Right One In has an element of verisimilitude that Twilight lacks. The Americanisation of the European Mythology is an excellent topic for an extended investigation for any A2 specifications. The Swedish film retains a European sensibility that is chillingly ‘real’ - whatever ‘real’ means.” Whereas, on Amazon.com, one comment said, ‘I suppose I'll have to remain bemused at the wealth of rave reviews for this film but for me it didn't work on any level and had absolutely no redeeming features.’

The Tribeca Film Festival seemed to disagree though, as they awarded it the winner of best narrative feature. According to CBS News, ‘…it was hailed by the jury for its ‘mesmerizing exploration of loneliness and alienation through masterful re-examination of the vampire myth.’

A re-make of Let the Right One In called Let Me In, directed by Matt Reeves is set for release in October 2010. It was shot in New Mexico and it’ll be an English speaking film. Who knows, maybe they’ll try and squeeze a franchise out of it. That’s Hollywood for you.
　

Dreaming A Dream...

I'm a writer...kind of.

I've been working on one manuscript since August 2008, and have dreams of it being published. It's a working progress at the moment, and have three chapters completed (the first three) so far, a total of 19,305 words.

It's called 'Compatible', but it's a working title, and it's a Y/A novel. I know and love my characters, I worked hard at making them unique, yet relatable, without any of the old cliches that readers of Y/A novels are becoming much too familiar with. I even have a few ideas for sequels, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

My love for writing has been with me forever. The only subject I was any good at in High School was English. I liked it because I knew I could do it, and vice versa. I took my English Language GCSE a year early, and then the following year I took the English Literature exam. That's the side of English I loved, reading and interpreting books. (Such as the Lord of the Flies, Great Expectations and Romeo & Juliet.)

I've applied to five different University's now, all creative writing courses. I pray to God I get accepted into one of them, so I'm not thinking about the alternatives right now haha.

The dream? Well, rather randomly, the dream is to live in America. I have this romantic idea about road-tripping all over the states after I finish (and graduate ^_^) from Uni, and then choosing my favourite state to live in haha. I've never actually been to America by the way, I just think I'll love it. Texas was the object of my affections for a long while, its the accent, and the whole southern gentlemen thing (yes ma'am...swoon) - boys in England aren't like that haha, trust me, if there are any American (or from anywhere) girls that think English guys are gentlemen, well no, maybe 50 years ago, but these days they're more like Dappy haha (see previous post.)

Now however, I'm thinking about New York (that's where 'Compatible' is set, well, it's split between Leeds, England and New York, USA.)

So that's what's on my heart. My writing. I can see myself in a nice little office room in a pretty New York home, and I'm going to work my butt off to make my dreams come true.

Dear Dappy...You're A Doughnut!

Oh dear. Dappy (the hat wearing one) of N-Dubz has landed himself in a bit of trouble.

He was on Chris Moyles' Radio One show the other day, I was in the car on the way to college and heard them, it was funny, but then again, I'm an N-Dubz fan.

Everyone that knows of N-Dubz, probably knows what they're like. I mean, sure Dappy is a bit of a numpty sometimes, but you just gotta laugh at him and not take it too seriously. I don't think it's fair that people say they're just stupid chavs that can't sing a note and should be dropped or w/e. It's what a lot of teens are listening to, and in my opinion, Tulisa has a great voice, and Dappy and Fazer are just the comic relief. Anyway, listeners were texting in, and one girl called them 'losers' and said Dappy was 'a vile little boy with a hat.' Harsh! I mean, if you don't like them, change your freakin' radio station love, but later, she got a text message back, saying stuff like 'ur gonna die!' 'if you say sorry i will leave you alone ****!' I wonder what the **** was lol? But yeah, death threats, really? Thats pretty dumb, Dapz.

Example of lyrics: Shoulda Put Something On from the album Against All Odds.

I ain't gonna lie I'm always behind when you get on all 4's,

But when your belly popped out you said it was my fault,

You told me I shoulda put something on,

You werent sayin' s**t when I was lickin' on your pelvis

I know, inspiring...but you do have to laugh. I'm not hating by the way, like I said, I'm a fan. I think 'I Swear' was the first of theirs I heard.

What do you think. Is Dappy a 'Doughnut' or is he 'Dope'?

Award Shows

The Awards Season is among us...woo hoo :)

I love award shows, all of them, seriously...i'll watch them all.
Tonight is the People's Choice Awards - i really wanted to watch this and it's on VH1. I have VH1, but it doesn't seem to be airing in the UK - sucks much?!

I'm getting Sky+ today, the dude that's fitting it in is meant to turn up between 12-5pm, so he'll probably turn up about 6pm...it's the way it always goes isn't it? I hate that, you have to wait around the house allllll day, but w/e. The point is, I'm getting Sky+, so i'll be able to record all the Golden Globes coverage, both from SkyOne and E! Of course, E! will probs be better, as Ryan Seacrest is like BFF's with everyone in Hollywood lol. I don't have the movie channels though, and the actual ceremony is being aired on Sky Movies Premiere, so I guess it's over to YouTube again :)

The National Television Awards are on Wed 20th on ITV of course, from 7.30pm - 10.00pm. But that seems to be clashing with The Brit Awards 2010 Launch Party on ITV2 at 9.oopm.

Obviously, it's the 'biggie' = The Oscars, that's the biggest deal. Last year was awesome. Hugh Jackman, sir, please host again this year.

Anyway, that's enough rambling...on this subject at least.

New Releases To Look Forward To

2010 is going to be a good year. In every sense. That's my mission anyway.

There are a few things along the way that will help make this a good year. Here's what I'm looking forward to.
P.s This will be as spoiler-free as possible.

Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows, Part 1 - 19 Novemeber
- I'm a huge HP fan, actually, I'm a total geek about it. AND PROUD!
Supernatural Season 5 - LIVINGtv 10 February
- Oh Dean, how I have missed you. And Sam. Kinda. Oh, Mr. Kripke sir, please, less crying this season, Manly-Dean owns Wussy-Dean. Thanks.
Lost Season 6 - SkyOne February
- Final season, I've been there from day one and stuck with it. Answers are a'coming.
American Idol Season 9 - ITV2 13 January
- Tonight - YAY. I <3 America, and American's, therefore I <3 American Idol. -- Joe Jonas guest judge = AWESOME *cough*and hot*cough*. Speaking of the Jonai...
Nick Jonas and The Administration debut album - 2 February
- Have seen some of the vids of his concert on YouTube. He's awesome. *cough*and hot*cough*
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - 9 July
- Fav. Twilight book. Tent scene - wooh. Oh, New Moon on DVD too this year.

So, that's what I'm looking forward too, in the music, film and tv world anyway. What are you looking forward too?