Research: Mulvey's ''Male Gaze'' - Ms Begum

Mulvey's ''Male Gaze''

Introduction

- The ''Male Gaze'' is a term discussed by Laura Mulvey in her essay, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" (1975). It is used to describe when the audience is put into the perspective of a (heterosexual) man. Female characters are sexualized, and the camera may zero in on female body parts considered sexual.

 

 

 

Laura Mulvey

- Laura Mulvey is a British feminist film theorist. She worked at the British Film Institute for many years before taking up her current position. She believes that in film, audiences have to view characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male.

- Mulvey is best known for her essay ''Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema'' written in 1973 and published in 1975 in the influential British film theory journal ''Screen''.
- She believed that men looked at women for visual pleasure. (Active male/passive female)

- The concept of ''Gaze'' is one that deals with an audience views the people presented. For feminist it can be thought of in 3 ways:

1) How men look at women.

2) How women look at themselves.

3) How women look at other women.

 

 

Features of the Male Gaze

- The camera lingers on the curves of the female body and events which occur to women are presented largely in the context of a man's reaction to these events.

 - Relegates women to the status of objects. The female viewer must experience the narrative secondarily, by identification with the male.

 - Some theorists also have noted the sexualizing of the female body even in situations where female sexiness has nothing to do with the product being advertised.

Examples of music videos that follow the structure of the 'Male Gaze'

1) Benny Bennasi - ''Satisfaction''

*Video*

- It is very clear that the ''Male Gaze'' was used in the video above as we can see through the use of micro-elements such as cinematography of a various close-up mixed with the use of slow motion editing to highlights the inappropriate body parts of the female. This draws more attention from the audience especially heterosexual male as it is the main purpose of the music video.

2) Nelly - ''Tip Drill''

 

*Video*

 

- This video was stated as one of the worst music video ever made and has put Nelly into a lot of troubles dealing with the consequences after the making of this ''reckless'' and ''disgraceful'' towards women. This is evident through the use of many close-up and mid shots plus having the theme of sex and includes homosexual activities. This attracts attention from male audience as it appears to be ''sexy'' and ''revealing'' which is engaging for males to see. Whereas, other female would look at this video as disrespectful towards them and have no respect towards the females that took part in the music video.

 

 

3) Eric Prydz - ''Call On Me''

 

*Video*

 

- Once again, just like the other two above. This music video definitely follows the ''Male Gaze'' theory as we can see through the use of micro-elements of various shot sizes such as close-up and mid shot to concentrates on females body parts. Even though there is only one male appear to be in the music video, he is still counted as active due to the female being actively concentrate on the fitness class but at the same time passively seducing and pleasuring the male's vision.

 

 

Criticisms of the theory

- Neglecting genders as well as sexual orientation.

- Some women enjoy being ''looked'' at e.g. beauty pageants.

- The gaze can also be directed towards men, especially in this new age of commercialism.

- Doesn't consider female spectators much.

- Her views are mainly from a heterosexual perspective.

 

 

 

Conclusion

- All the information above has really helped me to learn more about the ''Male Gaze'' and the beneficial of this theory towards music videos. If my song choice includes a female artist, I will apply this theory into my music video. I will do this by following the features that highlight this theory which includes a lot of close-up and slow-motion in certain parts of the female body to attract people to watch.