Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Gender Stereotypes

David Gauntlett argued in 2008 that males in films are still stereotyped as; 'Traditional alpha males who dominate the action with violence,' (Gauntlett, 2008)

In 1975 Laura Mulvey argued women are used in films as; 'Erotic objects of desire for the males in the narrative and the males in the audience.' (Mulvey, 1975)

Why do stereotypes work? Because they sell the product and represent the needs of the audience who want to be entertained. (Blumer and Katz, 1973)

https://www.traileraddict.com/batman-begins/trailer

In the trailer for Batman Begins, the character of Batman supports David Gauntlets theory. He is a superhero and most superheroes do fit that stereotype, otherwise there would be no movie. Nathan fights villains for the justice of his parents, so he becomes stronger to achieve this.

The woman in the trailer - Rachel - doesn't completely support Mulvey's theory. Yes, she is there as a love interest, but she plays the role of the damsel in distress so she is one of the main focuses of the film.

https://www.traileraddict.com/ghostbusters-2016/trailer

The most recent ghostbusters movie features four women as the main protagonists fighting paranormal beings. This completely destroys Gauntlets theory, as they are the main heroes and there is no main male character.

This also doesn't support Mulvey's theory, as none of the women seem to be conventionally attractive or dressed in a way to sexualise them.

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