The Male Gaze in Film Industry

Upakul Patowary, Lecturer, Tihu College

The objectification of female actors in the film industry is a long-standing and pervasive issue. It refers to the way in which women are reduced to their physical attributes and are often portrayed as nothing more than sexual objects for the pleasure of the male gaze. This objectification is perpetuated not only by the male filmmakers and audiences but also by the male actors themselves.

The concept of the "male gaze" in cinema was first introduced by feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey in her 1975 essay "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema." In the essay, Mulvey argues that mainstream Hollywood films are shot and presented from a heterosexual male perspective, with the camera and editing techniques used to create a voyeuristic viewing experience for the male viewer.

According to Mulvey, the male gaze is characterized by the way in which the camera lingers on the female characters' bodies, objectifying and sexualizing them for the viewer. This is often seen in Hollywood films from the classical Hollywood era and beyond, where the women are often shown in a sexualized light, and the camera lingers on their bodies. Mulvey also argues that Hollywood films often feature a "male gaze" in their portrayal of women, where they are often shown as passive and submissive, while men are active and dominant.

The ''male gaze'' can be manifested in a number of ways, including the use of camera angles, lighting, and framing to create a sense of voyeurism, as well as the portrayal of women as passive, submissive, and sexually available.

One classic example of the "male gaze" in film is Alfred Hitchcock's mystery thriller "Rear Window" (1954). In this film, the main character, played by Jimmy Stewart, spends most of his time peering through the window of his apartment building, voyeuristically observing his neighbours. The camera often lingers on the female characters in revealing clothing, and their movements are often slow and sensual. This creates a sense of objectification, as the women are reduced to objects of sexual desire for the male viewer.

Another example is the film "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013) directed by Martin Scorsese. In the movie, the protagonist is a wealthy Wall Street stockbroker who is surrounded by a bevy of scantily clad women, who are objectified and sexualized throughout the film. The camera frequently lingers on their bodies, and they are often shown in poses and positions that are meant to be sexually suggestive. This use of the female body as a decorative object is a clear example of the male gaze.

"The Fifty Shades of Grey", a film adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name, has been heavily criticized for its portrayal of a BDSM relationship from a male gaze perspective. The movie portrays BDSM relationships in a way that reinforces harmful stereotypes about women and power dynamics in relationships. The film presents Anastasia's submission to Christian as something that is inherently desirable, rather than a conscious choice that is made between two consenting adults. This perpetuates the idea that women are naturally submissive, and that they should be dominated by men. The film's depiction of BDSM is also inaccurate and unrealistic and the way it frames Christian's behaviour as romantic and desirable is dangerous.

The concept of the "male gaze" can also be seen in the way that women are represented in action and superhero movies. In many cases, female characters are portrayed as secondary to the male protagonist, and their primary function is to serve as love interests or to be rescued by the male hero. This can be seen in films such as the James Bond franchise, in which the Bond girl is often reduced to a sexual object for Bond to pursue and conquer. Similarly, in superhero films like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, the female characters are often shown in revealing clothing, and are sexualized and objectified in ways that are not seen with the male characters.

The use of the male gaze in film is not limited to Hollywood, it can also be seen in Bollywood and other film industries. For instance, in the Indian Film Industry, women are often portrayed in a very stereotypical way, with an emphasis on their beauty and sexual appeal. They are often shown in revealing clothes and in suggestive poses, which is a clear example of objectification.

A common trope in Bollywood films is the "item number," in which a woman is featured in a sexually suggestive dance sequence. These sequences are often shot from a male perspective, with the camera lingering on the woman's body, and are included in the film primarily for the pleasure of the male viewer. Another example is the portrayal of women in a way that objectifies them, where their physical appearance is emphasized over their personality or their role in the story. One such example is the movie "'Kabir Singh'" where the leading lady is shown as a sexual object that is there to satisfy the protagonist's sexual desires.

It is important to note that the "male gaze" is not limited to the way that women are portrayed on screen. It also extends to the way that the film industry is structured and the way that stories are told. For example, in Hollywood, the majority of films are directed and written by men, which can lead to a lack of representation and diversity in the stories that are told. Additionally, the vast majority of film protagonists are male, which can contribute to a lack of representation and diversity in the way that women are represented on screen.

While the male gaze has been present in the film industry for many years, it is important for filmmakers to be aware of it and to work towards creating more diverse and representative stories that accurately reflect the lives and experiences of women.

Overall, the male gaze in film is a pervasive and harmful aspect of the industry that reinforces negative stereotypes about women and limits their representation on screen. It is important for the film industry to recognize and actively work to challenge and overcome this evil in order to create more inclusive and nuanced representation of women in film.This includes hiring more female directors, writers, and filmmakers, and creating a culture of respect for female actors on set and off. It is time for the industry to move beyond the "male gaze" and create stories that truly reflect the diversity and complexity of women in the world.