This document summarizes several key concepts from film theory, including Roland Barthes' idea of the "enigma code" that creates mystery and intrigue, Claude Levi Strauss' concept of narrative being driven by conflicts between binary opposites, and Laura Mulvey's notion of the "male gaze" and how cinema objectifies women for male audiences. It also outlines Vladimir Propp's characterization archetypes like the hero, villain, and princess, as well as Tzvetean Todrov's theory of equilibrium being disrupted and a new equilibrium forming by the narrative's end.

1. Film Theory
Sharondeep Bachra

2. Roland Barthes
• Roland Barthes enigma code states a text portrays an element of
mystery to entice the audience.
• Thus, further intriguing them to further view or read a text.
• Examples shown below are unknown villains that create an
enigma code, that create a sense of curiosity of the who the
villains real identity is and therefore propels the narrative of the
film.

3. Claude Levi Strauss
• Strauss observed that all narrative story's are organised around
conflict between binary opposites.
• Constant creation of conflict propels narrative.
• Narrative can only end on a resolution of conflict.
• Oppositions can be visual: Good vs. Evil, Weapons vs. no weapons,
and hell vs. heaven.

4. Laura Mulvey: Male Gaze
• Laura Mulvey suggested the term ‘male gaze’ in
1975.
• In film, women are sexually objectified of desire
for male audiences, as well as the camera man.
• Classical cinema stimulates voyeurism, where
women become sexual interest.

5. Tzvetean Todrov
• Todrov simplified the idea of narrative theory, whilst also
suggesting this theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.
• This theory is:
• The fictional environment begins with a state of equilibrium
(everything is normal)
• It then suffers some disruption (Disequilibrium)
• New Equilibrium is produced at the end of the narrative.

6. Vladimir Propp
• Propp suggested that there are a number of limited characters
types that share a function.
• Characters types that share a function are;
• The hero – a character that seeks something
• The villain – who opposes the hero's request
• The Donor – who provides an object with magical properties.
• The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her via message.
• The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false
claims.
• The Helper – who aids the hero
• The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the
villain’ plots.
• Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort.