Film · Student exhibit
Male vs. Female Gaze in Film
Throughout history, woman have been seen as objects for a man’s use that doesn’t have a say of her own and needs to obey the man. In film, this claim has been proven time and time again. Women are seen as background characters to grasp the male attention throughout the movie.
Side-by-side comparison
The Avengers (2012)
emphasis on sexualized black widow
01
What does the representation make visible?
This movie makes visible how women in the media are often sexualized, even when they brave, strong, capable and intelligent. It also makes visible how this movie portrays scenes for the male gaze only.
02
What is emphasized?
The movie frequently draws attention to her attractiveness rather than focusing solely on her strength and abilities.
- Black Widow’s figure because of how skintight her outfit is.
- While the men in The Avengers are portrayed as complex characters with deeper motives, feelings, and power, Black Widow is portrayed more as a one-dimensional character. In scenes where deeper emotion could be portrayed, the movie instead puts emphasis on her physical appearance.
03
How does that shape understanding?
This movie gives a false representation of what a woman is; a one-dimensional character serving as a sidekick for the more complex and powerful men. By framing women this way, the audience sees women as background characters that aren’t as important or beneficial to a patriarchal world.
Barbie Movie (2023)
01
What is different?
In Barbie, the focus is more on empowering women rather than sexualizing them. Unlike The Avengers, which often emphasizes Black Widow’s physical appearance, Barbie challenges beauty standards and gender stereotypes.
02
What is emphasized?
The movie focuses more on uplifting women by showing that their worth goes beyond society’s expectations. It explains societies expectations for women and how they are impossible to satisfy. The clip explains how women view each other as perfect despite what society says about them and how they cannot let the unrealistic expectations shape how they feel about themselves.
03
How does that shape understanding?
This helps shapes the audiences understanding of how women are viewed in society. By challenging stereotypes showing that women are more complex than their appearance or appeal. Women are not just what they are expected to be due to social norms but are instead complex beings each with their own ideas, emotions, fashion, etc.