(For - Going Against Stereotype)
1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAzXwlmQ0b4
This extract
from the film focuses on the female character Selina Kyle who subverts the traditional
female stereotype through
her courageous behaviour in order to serve justice. The setting takes place in an isolated bar
with only males inside where Selina Kyle is taken in order to provide the male character with proof of finger prints. One could
argue, that it is significant that Selina Kyle is surrounded by all men holding
guns as it portrays her
being fearless which is established through her body
language. For example, at the beginning of the extract she walks confidently
into the bar without feeling no fear and behaves sarcastically towards the male
character revealing, "I like having someone who opens doors for me". Hathway's character body language and her very first dialogue in this extract
is effective in highlighting a female character who subverts the traditional
expectations of women being passive. This is because, Selina is
alternatively represented as being courageous who does not fear of the
consequences of her actions as she is aware that her life is in risk. Thus, Anne Hathaway character represents female empowerment.
Furthermore,
an over the shoulder shot is used between the two characters on going
conversation which is effective in establishing tension. Using
Todorov narrative structure, this gradually builds to the disequilibrium as they the audience would be aware that
conflict is going to occur between both of the characters especially through
her angry facial expression of the female character. Additionally, this is made evident
through the use of medium shot when Selina states, "It would of been a lot
easier if you given what I asked for". This represents her as being
fearless as she is challenging the position of the males in asserting her
power. Effectively, low key lighting is used on the female character face when
she reveals this dialogue which could highlight her mysterious and artful
personality. As a result, she cleverly manipulates the male character to make
sure that she gets caught by the police thus, highlighting her active role
which goes against the stereotype of female characters.
Additionally,
the atmosphere completely changes once the action begins with the use of
non-diegetic parallel sound to establish the dramatic and fast pace of the
scene. The continuous use of medium long shots of Selina
Kyle fighting the males is significant in establishing that she is not inferior. Using Levis-Strauss theory of binary
oppositions, this is significant in conveying a switch in gender roles as one
female is beating a couple of men by herself and therefore represents Selina
as being inferior and the males characters as being superior. Notably, one
could argue that the fact that Selina shoots a male character is significant in
reinforcing her alternative representation of the traditional female
stereotype. This is because; in previous films a prop of a gun would be
associated with males as it would establish their power. Whereas, in this case
Hathway character uses the prop of a gun kill the males which reinforces her
bravery and therefore she represents a female heroine. Notably, the iconography
of the gun is symbolic in establishing the genre of the film which is an action
thriller. Likewise, using Barthes action code theory, the extract includes the
props of guns and the police cars which all creates a chaotic atmosphere
therefore, linking to the film's sub-genre elements which relate to action and
thriller. The fast pace editing is significant for this action sequence as the
scene establishes the hectic and thrilling atmosphere for the audience making
the audience gripped into the narrative. The use of the different transitions
in this action sequence is significant in showing the fast pace action between
Selina and the male characters as she is eager not to be caught by the police
which is made established through the long shot of the door which she looks at
twice.
Hathway character is perceived as being
stronger compared to the male characters which goes against the expectations of female appearance in films. Through of a tracking and tilt shot of Selina's quick actions of her punching
the male character and rolling over the table whilst keeping hold of him is
vital in showing the audience that she is equally as strong as men. This is highlight that Hathaway’s character challenging the traditional
stereotype of females being passive as she is taking an active role. Effectively, this establishing a positive representation of women.
Moreover,
Selina Kyle cleverly uses her femininity and old fashion stereotypes to make sure that she does
not get caught by the police. This is effective in conveying to the audience that she
fearless as well as smart as she uses "stereotypes like emotional weakness
and vulnerability to cleverly manipulate her way out of dangerous
situations".. Likewise, the use of the
tracking shot of Selina actions, as walks out the bar calmly and quickly is
effective in presenting her as being sly based on the fact that she did not get
caught. Thus, this establishes that she takes on active role.
However, in
this extract she wears a black tight fitted short dress with red lipstick which
is effective in establishing her femininity in looking seductive for the male
audience. Another interpretation of this could be that Selina Kyle seductive
clothing in this scene is significant for the male audience as she is being portrayed
as part of Mulvey Male Gaze. This is because, she is represented in being
seductive through her clothing which would appeal to the heterosexual male
audience. Thus, this makes Selina a 'eye candy' to appease the male gaze
as she dressed seductively whilst fighting which could make the male audience
perceive her more sexually appealing.
Notably, using Stuart Hall reception theory, the dominate reading for this extract would be that Hathway character subverts the traditional stereotypes through her manipulative and brave actions. Also, in a website the female character is refereed to "a women that most of the contemporary audience can truly relation to". This is because, the extract conveys a positive representation of the character being fearless which would suggest that female characters are equally capable of being powerful like males characters in film. Thus, some individuals' may aspire to be like Anne Hathaway character as she is strong minded and fearless.
To some
extent, Christopher Noel does portray Hathway character traditionally through her
seductive clothing which presents her to be 'gazed' at by males; however, to a
greater extent she subverts the stereotype through her actions. This could
suggest that female characters are beginning to become equally and even more
superior to the male characters and therefore Hathway character subverts this
female expectations of females being passive in society.
2.
This extract also shows the character
Selina Kyle challenging the traditional female stereotype which is
established at the beginning of the film. The audience are introduced the
primarily female character Selina Kyle who works as a waitress for the Wayne's
Foundation dinner party. Significantly, a medium shot of Selina Kyle
is used while she looks at photographs with the mysterious parallel sound
included as well which is effective in making the audience curious about the
character's role. In relation to Barthes theory, enigma codes could be
associated in this scene as the female character is represented in looking
suspicious and making the audience intrigued into the narrative in wanting to
know more about Hathway character.
However, the audience are revealed to
Hathway character true personality when she admits stealing the necklace. Her
facial expression of a smirk which is established through a medium shot and the
fact that her tone of voice changes as she simply states "oops" would
be effective on the audience. This is because, it would change the audience's
views on the character from the very moment they were introduced to her as they
may have assumed that she was innocent. Selina Kyle does not fear of
the consequences that she has been caught stealing as through the tracking shot
she confidently walks towards Bruce Wayne and kicks his walking stick. Thus,
this presents an alternative representation of the female character as she is
not presented as being innocent and passive therefore going against the
traditional expectations of females. Likewise, Selina Kyle's artful actions are
established through the tilt up camera movement as she fearless back flips out
of the window which reinforces her alternative representation. Effectively,
this challenges the traditional female stereotype as Hathaway character goes
against the dominate ideologies of women in society being passive.
The tracking shot of the female character entering into a car and uses her femininity to
charm the male is effective in establishing that she uses the female
stereotypes to get her out of dangerous situations. Effectively, this could
suggest that the female character represents the matriarchy ideologies in
society as she challenges the dominate expectations of women. Thus Hathway character promotes the positive values to the female audience. Thus, using the Uses and
Gratifications theory, the audience are likely to use this text for diversion,
personal identity and personal relationship.
SALT
First extract: 30:04 - 35:15
This extract from the film focuses on
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) escaping from the FBI in order to save her husband
which establishes the character challenging the female stereotype. The female
character clothing is significant in this scene as she changes into wearing a
hate, long brown coat and trousers. This is because, her clothing represents
her as being masculine as she is covering up her femininity which is a contrast
to what she wears previously in the film. Thus, this challenges the stereotypical
views on female clothing in films. Notably, the tracking shot which focuses on
Evelyn fast pace action is effective in conveying her active role as she
is determined to to escape from the FBI in order to accomplish her goal to find
her husband. Thus, this presents an alternative representation of the female
character as she is not passive and weak. Furthermore, the parallel sound for
this action sequence is successful in producing a dramatic atmosphere thus,
making the audience gripped to the narrative. Similarly, the continuous
transitions and the over lapping dialogue from the police then to Evelyn is
effective in create a chaotic scene for the audience as they would assume that
the character is going to be shot. Thus, this links to Todorov narrative
structure as it establishes the disequilibrium between the character and the
police force.
Significantly, the audience would
acknowledge Jolie character represents female empowerment as she is strong
minded and constantly does not give up. This is made evident through the point
of view shot when Salt see's the truck and fearlessly jumps on it which
reinforces her masculine actions. Similarly, her masculine actions is further
exposed through the bird’s eye view as she jumps on to another truck to save herself
establishes a subvert in the stereotypical representation of women as Salt is
positively portrayed as being physically strong and not weak. In relation to
Barthes theory, actions codes are highlighted in this extract of guns and
police cars which clearly establishes the film's genre for the audience.
Moreover, it is is vital that Jolie
character pushes a man off his motorbike and uses it to escape as it coveys she
is asserting her physical power and therefore going against the female
stereotypes. The tracking shot and the transitions of Salt riding the motorbike
whilst the police chase her are effective in highlighting an alternative
representation of the character. This is because, she went through great
lengths to escape from the police and succeeds at the end as she does not get
caught. Thus, using Stuart Hall's reception theory, the preferred reading of
Jolie character is that she subverts the dominate ideologies on females in
films as being inferior and passive. To a great extent, Salt challenges the
female stereotypes through her fearless actions which depicts that female
characters in films are no longer the "victims or hostages or prizes"
as they now portrayed being equally as strong as males.
2. Second extract: 81:45 -
From the beginning of the extract, a
medium shot and tilt shot is used to focus on the Jolie character as she walks
up the stairs looking at the male character suspiciously. Jolie's character's
clothing is significant in this specific extract as she is been
represented as a male through the short boyish hair, shirt, trousers etc.
Thus, is presents a alternative ideology to the audience of how females are
stereotypically portrayed in films in looking seductive with long hair and
wearing feminine clothing as the character Salt challenges these
expectations. Effectively, the medium shot of Salt's handcuffs alongside with
the parallel music is significant in foreshadowing a conflict as through the
dramatic music the audience would be aware that something bad is going to
occur. Thus, this successful in keeping the audience gripped on to the
narrative as they would want to know what the character is about to do.
Moreover, Jolie character is clearly
portrayed in being physically powerful which subverts the dominate stereotypes
of women being inferior in films. For instance, the slow motion effect
alongside with the tilt up shot of Salt (Jolie character) jumping into the air
and ties her handcuffs around the male character's throat is effective in
establishing her masculine actions. This is then followed by a a transition of
a medium shot of Salt's face covered in blood as she continuously pulls on the
male character's throat which is significant in representing her as a powerful
action figure. This is because, through her masculine actions, the audience
would acknowledge that Salt's subverts the female stereotypes in films by being
fearless and asserting her masculine actions therefore, she is positively represented.
3. Third extract: 77.59 - 79:59
In this extract Salt tries to save the country before the bombs explode which establishes her masculine actions as she tried to kill the male character and therefore goes against the traditional female stereotypes. The medium shot of Salt using a gun is significant in conveying a alternative representation of the female character as she is challenging the boundaries of female expectations. This is because, the iconography of a gun is symbolic as it represents danger and is stereotypically associated with male characters in action films. However, one could argue that the the fact Jolie's character is using a gun could convey that she is rejecting her femininity as she is represented in being masculine. Thus, this is effective in establishes that she is challenging the traditional female stereotypes as she is not using her sexuality to get something.
Notably, the dramatic parallel sound is effective in creating a tense atmosphere for the audience and therefore keeping them hooked on to the action sequence. As the scene progresses, the different transitions of the characters's shooting one another creates a chaotic scene for the audience's which clearly links to the film's genre. Most significantly, the medium long shots of Jolie's character fighting the male character is vital in conveying that she is challenging the boundaries of the social expectations of females. Thus, this establishes a alternative representation of the character as she is asserting her physical power which goes against the female stereotypes as she is not passive and is equally as strong as the male character. Using Katz and Blulmer uses and gratification theory the audience may read this text based on diversion and personal identity. This is because, the dramatic action sequence makes the narrative more thrilling for the audience and therefore it allows them to feel entertained. Whereas, the alternative representation of Jolie's character could make some of the female audience identity with the character's bravery and therefore this may empower the audience to go against their female domain and to challenge boundaries between the sexes.
Links to my issue and debates:
Postmodernism and its critiques, Representation & Stereotypes, Audience theories, Liberal Pluralism,
Media Technology and the digital revolution.
- Liberal Feminist would argue that these alternative representation of the female characters establishes that women are capable of doing what males do. Thus, this shows a progress towards gender equality as the female characters are no longer represented as being passive. This links to Liberal Pluralism beliefs as the representation of the female characters could be a reflection of contemporary society. This is because, women are challenging the dominate ideologies of the ruling class as they are no longer restricted and are now independent.
- Both of the female characters from SALT and The Dark Knight Rises subvert the traditional stereotypes of females in society as they challenge the boundaries between men and women through their fearless actions. Thus, it can be argued that Hathway and Jolie characters represent female empowerment.
- According to Postmodernist, they would argue that the female characters are enjoying being masucline and challenging the boundaires.
More theories to include in essay:
- Berger (1972) "Men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at" http://www.slideshare.net/sarahmediafilm/representation1
- Butler - Queer Theory
- Anthony Giddiness -Traditional Vs Post Traditionalist views of society
