Feminist film theory views representations of women in film as culturally constructed and often unrealistic. Early feminist criticism examined the stereotyped portrayals of women in classic Hollywood films and their negative effects. These portrayals were seen as reflecting a male perspective since films were written and directed by men. Feminists called for more positive representations of women that were not defined by a male gaze or passive roles in narratives centered around male characters and their desires.

1. Feminist film theory
Feminist view film to be a cultural practise
representing myths about women and femininity as
well as men and masculinity. (They see this type of
representation as unreal)
Representation and Spectatorship are central to
Feminist Theory.

2. The roots of feminist film theory.
Started as a social movement.
Early feminist theory and criticism was directed at the stereotyped
representation of women in classic Hollywood film.
This stereotyped image of women in classic Hollywood had a negative
effect on female spectators.
Therefore, their was a call for a more positive representation of women in
Hollywood.

3. In Classic Hollywood film a drive towards a more positive representation of
women was not enough.
Main Problem: Classic cinema narrative is constructed by men.
Therefore, representing women from a male perspective.
In Classic cinema the representation of women was how men
viewed women.
Do you think men have had a specific view of women within
Film??????

4. The representation of women in Classic film is to look Natural,
Realistic and Attractive.
Within Classic Film Narrative the following generally takes
place:
The Male character is established as active and powerful. The
story will unfold around him.
The Female character is passive and powerless. She is the
object of desire for the male character.

5. (The Male Gaze) Male point of view.
Voyeurism: how we get visual pleasure through looking at (Characters,
figures and situations).
Camera: physically shoots from the male Characters point of view.
Characters: male character is viewing and gazing at the women.
Spectator: you are made to identify with the male characters and simple view
a women as a spectacle.
Narcissistic: visual pleasure derives from the spectators self-identification
with the characters and environments.
Hollywood is tailor made for male desires.

6. Counter cultural of feminist film from the 1970s onwards.
Destroy classic male narrative.
Destroy the Male Gaze getting rid of visual pleasure designed for the male audiences.
How did they change classic conventions???
Female characters started to question their position within classic cinema.
Spectators attention is refocused on how the female characters exists within classic
narrative.

7. Is their a female spectator?????
Does the female spectator identify with passive images of
femininity???????
Do female spectators identify with Masculine
characters?????????????????
Do female spectators have a desire when viewing characters
within film?????????????

8. Consider modern Hollywood films
Sex and the city
Tomb Raider
Underworld
Do these films empower women????
Are they still male dominated narratives???????
The women may appear in control and strong, but this may just
be a role reversal placing the women within the male position
within the narrative. (Is this a positive female
representation?????)
What does it take for a film to represent females
positively??????????

9. When considering your essay:
Identify and discuss the roots of feminist film theory. Look at a classic film.
How have women been represented in classic Hollywood cinema:
The way they look?
Their power within the narrative?
Consider the Male gaze?
• Camera.
• Character.
• Spectator.
Look at a modern film:
How has the representation of women changed?
Is this a positive representation?????
• Role reversal?
• Is there now a female spectator?