Sexism In Film

[sineadbardsley]

Hello, I am an A Level student studying Media Studies. For my exam in June, i have to choose a question surrounding women and film, and then carry out research myself. My chosen question is

"Are women in film STILL represented in sexist ways in film for the entertainment and pleasure of men?"

A forum post is the most effective source of primary research and any comments and opinions left would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou!

[batman]

definitely yes .....



but so are men ....



Bats.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by sineadbardsley "Are women in film STILL represented in sexist ways in film for the entertainment and pleasure of men?"

I sometimes think that women are presented in sexist ways for women, as much as men. Just as men enjoy watching and empathising with good-looking men, so do women with screen goddesses.

Powerful Hollywood women such as Sandra Bullock and Jodie Foster seem to be at ease with exploiting their physical attractiveness in their own projects.

[batman]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin I sometimes think that women are presented in sexist ways for women, as much as men. Just as men enjoy watching and empathising with good-looking men, so do women with screen goddesses. Powerful Hollywood women such as Sandra Bullock and Jodie Foster seem to be at ease with exploiting their physical attractiveness in their own projects.

I totally agree. I enjoy watching very physical actors displaying their athleticism, while my wife enjoys watching beautiful women in exotic costumes. It's part of the pleasures of life to get vicarious enjoyment from the skills, prowess and beauty of others. It can also be a purely aesthetic pleasure and not related to sex at all.

Bats.

[LeMephiston]

Hey im doing a similar question. Sort of. Mines more open ended as im studying degree level but im looking more specifically at sexism in Godards movies.

I would honestly say that off course sexism is apparent. Sexism is blatant if anything. You only have to look at our modern society too see that sexism is as much apart of our culture as jam sandwiches, i like jam sandwiches.

Im not so keen on sexism.

Basically in movies and life women have become objectified. I would argue atleast. The bar for expectation for women is so high its no wonder women are insane lol.

Im really tired otherwise id go into this more. Either way a useless answer for you would be "yes" :P

"It can also be a purely aesthetic pleasure and not related to sex at all. "

Isnt aesthetic pleasure gained from looking at a woman based on sexual thoughts though? Aesthetic pleasure meaning looking attractive = sexual attraction??

[batman]

Originally Posted by LeMephiston Isnt aesthetic pleasure gained from looking at a woman based on sexual thoughts though? Aesthetic pleasure meaning looking attractive = sexual attraction??

I think you missed my point....yes, I get varying degrees of sexual pleasure from looking at attractive women....but I also get aethetic pleasure looking at a young guy who looks and moves well and does incredible things (eg Daniel Craig in Casino Royale) but it is not a sexual pelasure....it is the same as looking a a superb work of art or appreciating a great goal by Carlos Tevez (and i certainly do not get sexual pleasure looking at him!)

Bats

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by LeMephiston Isnt aesthetic pleasure gained from looking at a woman based on sexual thoughts though?

Not when you get to my age son..... .....

The day women stop buying crap like this I'll start worrying about sexism in my movies:

[D Cairns]

There are two related but not necessarily identical phenomena being discussed here: sexual images of women (and men) are prevalent today, and have always been around in one way or another. If a sexually attractive nude image is sexist, then nature is sexist.
On the other hand, there are definitely ads, films and images that objectify women (and sometimes men). Godard's sixties and seventies work has many examples of this. The woman is not just attractive and underclad, but cast in an utterly passive role where she seems to have no personality and really no brain.
A photograph can treat a woman's body as an object. In fact, a woman's body IS an object. A meditation on the structure of an arm or leg is not sexist, even if some people find it seductive. But a film shows women in motion, in narrative situations, and Godard often seems to use this to cancel out any possibility of a real personality coming across. His men tend to be self-determining figures who are active and somewhat in control. So many of these women are literally decoration. ONE + ONE (SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL) is a strong example of this.

A woman's body is an object, but a woman is much MORE than an object.

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by batman I totally agree. I enjoy watching very physical actors displaying their athleticism, while my wife enjoys watching beautiful women in exotic costumes. It's part of the pleasures of life to get vicarious enjoyment from the skills, prowess and beauty of others. It can also be a purely aesthetic pleasure and not related to sex at all.

Yes: the appreciation of beauty is not necessarily a sexual matter at all. One can find people beautiful to look at without lusting after them.

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin The day women stop buying crap like this I'll start worrying about sexism in my movies:

I think this sort of publishing is deeply unpleasant and degrading. Have you (and the original poster) read Ariel Levy's Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women & the Rise of Raunch Culture? I don't think it negates concern about sexism in movies, though: both reflect similar trends in popular culture.