For my A Level coursework.

1. THE FEMINIST THEORY
THE LOW DOWN ON MY THIS IS IMPORTANT IN MODERN MEDIA

2. What is
feminism and
the feminist
theory? A
Definition
Feminism - The advocacy of women's rights on the
ground of the equality of the sexes.
The Feminist Theory - The extension of
feminism into theoretical, fictional, or philosophical
discourse. It aims to understand the nature of
gender inequality.
The feminist thery explores the way that women
are portrayed in media compared to the portrayal
of men. Why are the two genders portrayed so
differently? What effect does this have?

3. How does this relate to
media?
In the 1970’s/80’s the rise of the slasher genre brought on a
wave of anti feminism narratives within horror films, with plots
being based upon the objectification and brutal killing of
female characters. With these women roles being secondary,
and their deaths purely being used for the furthering of male
success and enjoyment of male viewers. This ties in to the
‘Male Gaze’ theory by Laura Mulvey that I had mentioned
previously.
By just taking a simple look at some of the most successful
horror films you can find almost all of the female characters
depicted in a sexual way, often being punished later on for
their permicious ways. How come men in films are never
persecuted in the same way?

4. So, are horror films
misogynistic?
This question is largely debated, both in previous and in modern day media.
Continuing from the last slide, slasher films always focus on a women’s body,
sexuality and morals within the film which then determines her success as a
character. However, one popular theory, which is most commonly displayed in
these same slasher films is ‘The Final Girl Theory’, which is where the typical
‘hero’ character is combined with the ‘damsel in distress’ to create the final girl.
This theory is very interesting, and almost throws the misogyny on its head with
the idea of a women being the hero character to face the villain in the end, and
subsequently survive over the male. Could this be seen as empowering for the
women of these 80’s films? Its definitely a step forward, making their characters
deeper than just the killing of their characters. However, the one degrading
element of this theory is that the women are always the ‘nerdy, saint virgin’
character, that refused to misbehave throughout and therefore survive as a result
of their ‘good morals’. This type of subliminal messaging that women must
‘behave’ else they will be punished is again very degrading in a way that male
characters do not experience.

5. The Bechdel Test
Another step forward for the idea of feminism within media is ‘The Bechdel Test’. This
is a test that was created to explore the depth of women’s roles and characters
within films. A film will only past the test if it ticks the following boxes.
1. It must have more than one named female character.
2. The Women must speak to each other separately without a man present.
3. The conversation must be about something other than men.
Its shocking that a whopping 43% of films FAIL this simple test, proving the extent of
misogyny within media. This also shows how most films are often either only seen
through men’s eyes or revolving around a male characters story.
However; there are some interesting films that do challenge these ideas and shown
really promising steps forward for women in film.
The Babadook (2014) —This small Australian film by a female director, Jennifer
Kent, was named feminist movie of the year by Bitch Flicks. It showcases the
struggles, loneliness and isolation of motherhood in a truly frightening way.
Pans Labyrinth (2006) — Fantasy and imagination elements of this Spanish film
are blended with the harsh realities of war and motherhood, seen through the
eyes of a young girl in 1944.