Objectification in Film

Pretty Woman

From the beginning, cinema has been a male dominated industry in which films are made by men, for men... Because of this, women are more likely to be objectified in film, perpetuating harmful stereotypes for women and girls. While more equitable representation has been growing in recent years, women still fall victim to Laura Mulvey's critical theory on the "Male Gaze."

To begin, complete the following lessons below:

LECTURE - Looking and the "Gaze"

Click the VIEW LECTURE button below to access the powerpoint presentation on Laura Mulvey's critical text "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema"

VIEW LECTURE

READ - Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema

Film theorist Laura Mulvey argues that mainstream film form is based on a patriarchal unconscious which derives pleasure from voyeurism and narcissism. Click the READ NOW button to view.

READ NOW

WATCH - Are Women Still Objectified?

An explanation of Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory, and some thoughts on its relevance today. Click the WATCH NOW button to view now.

WATCH NOW

WATCH - Pretty Woman (1990)

A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. Click the WATCH NOW button to view.

WATCH NOW

WATCH - Laura Mulvey Interview

Laura Mulvey is a feminist film theorist, whose seminal text 'Visual Pleasures and Narrative Cinema' instigated what is now known as 'male gaze' theory. Click the WATCH NOW button to view an interview with her.

WATCH NOW

WATCH - Toxic Female Gaze

Distorted perspectives on females have been created in the subconscious of our society, creating a confidence crisis that endangers the current and future female generations. Click the WATCH NOW button to view.

WATCH NOW

REFLECTION - Pretty Woman

After reading, watching and listening to the various elements above, click the START NOW button below to reflect critically on the film Pretty Woman using Laura Mulvey's text.

START NOW