Research: Mulvey's Male Gaze

Laura Mulvey, a british feminist film theorist created the theory of the "male gaze" in 1975. In this theory she suggests that the camera is used from the viewpoint of a heterosexual male. This theory can be looked at in three different ways by feminists;

1. How men look at women? This is usually that a male finds the women attractive with very high sex appeal. 
2. How women look at themselves? They'll believe they look attractive and sexy 
3. How women look at other women? In this aspect some women may say that they do not all want to be portrayed in that way within the media. 

Examples of the male gaze... 

Benny Benassi - Satisfaction...

The women are represented as sexual objects in this video. I believe that the video is solely based around attracting the heterosexual male's attention. The use of cinematography is used to represent the male's vision. The camera and editing, focus and linger around the female body and their assets. As the women use the tools in the video they are promoting sexual activity and connoting actions that are involved. This video is also suggesting that all women enjoy being looked at in this way as well as being objectified. 

Christina Aguilera - Dirrty ft. Redman...
This video shows the star in a very promiscuous light. The video is based around the star dancing around a boxing ring in a very sexual manor. This sexualises what is known to be a very masculine sport. In the video we see women being shown as sexual objects as they dance around half naked in the centre of a male audience. Female assets are also exaggerated in this video as the camera is focused and following them and the dance moves help sexualise and enhance what the heterosexual male audience want to see.




Trey Songz - Foreign...
This video represents women as sexual objects all the way through. They are shown to be objects they males desire and adore. It is also portrayed that they need more than one, so themes of loyalty are not common here. The camera follows the females around they're assets. Sexual innuendos are also involved as the women are being films dancing in sexual positions in front of the artist.



Criticisms of the theory...

• Very negative towards females
• The theory eliminates any other sexual preference 
• It also doesn't consider a female's opinion 
• It doesn't apply to all types of women 
• Suggests that men are never shown as sexy 
• Mulvey's theory offends religions 
• Sexualising women and objects becomes exposed to the younger generation 

In my own music video i would like to challenge the theory of the male gaze as i do not agree with it. I believe it doesn't represent all women fairly and also it doesn't have a positive effect on the young girls in our society. When using women in my music video i would prefer to empower all types of women without sexualising them.