Introduction to film theory and history:
Film theory discusses the core of cinema and provides a conceptual structure for understanding film’s relationship to reality, individual views and society. Film mainly developed from the work of Directors and Film theorists like Germain Dulac and Seigfried Kracauer and many others. The directors highlight how film diverges from reality and how it might be deemed as an authentic art form. After World War ll, the French film critic and theorist Andre Bázin responded against this perspective to cinema, debating the film’s core and its ability to automatically imitate reality, not in its contrast from reality.
Auteur theory:
Auteur theory is the theory of film making in which the director is considered the main creative influence in a motion picture. Starting in France in the late 1940’s, Auteur theory was a development of cinematic theories.
An Auteur is a film makers style which is unique and creates a signature auteur status for them. The directors film reflects their creative vision. This method of film analysis was originally connected with the French New Wave.
The French New Wave was a group of French film critics who appeared in the film world in the late 1950’s, transforming cinematic convention by joining fast cuts of Hollywood with theoretical trends.
The film makers of the French New Wave have their own style and characteristics. They put together one of the most powerful movements in cinema history. Some of the films have been more successful that others, although they weren’t aiming for success. Many films became popular and critically approved worldwide. The topic of discussion inspired film makers across the world. François Truffaut, Jean- Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, Jacques Rivette and Eric Rohmer were five of the main filmmakers who originally came from Cahier du Cinema and became very productive during 1959 to 1966 which was the culmination of the French New Wave.
An Auteur is a film makers style which is unique and creates a signature auteur status for them. The directors film reflects their creative vision. This method of film analysis was originally connected with the French New Wave.
The French New Wave was a group of French film critics who appeared in the film world in the late 1950’s, transforming cinematic convention by joining fast cuts of Hollywood with theoretical trends.
The film makers of the French New Wave have their own style and characteristics. They put together one of the most powerful movements in cinema history. Some of the films have been more successful that others, although they weren’t aiming for success. Many films became popular and critically approved worldwide. The topic of discussion inspired film makers across the world. François Truffaut, Jean- Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, Jacques Rivette and Eric Rohmer were five of the main filmmakers who originally came from Cahier du Cinema and became very productive during 1959 to 1966 which was the culmination of the French New Wave.
Francois Truffaut is the Director of The 400 Blows, a film about a French student named Antoine Doinel who gets into trouble at school and he has an unhappy home life. Skipping school led to a spiral of lies and theft, Antoine is left to face the consequences of his actions and is sent to a juvenile detention centre where he soon manages to escape.
The opening scene uses a series of high angle shots to accommodate in demonstrating a feeling of childhood innocence. The camera tends to focus on the city building and the sky, usually getting a shot from the ground looking up to give the impression that the building is larger and discouraging. The represents a point of view of how children see the world. Another high angle shot shows the elementary school teacher, Mr Bigey. The high angle shot give the representation of this teacher as a man of authority and control. |
Jean – Luc Godard is the director of the 1960’s French film, Breathless. About a car thief Michel Poiccard who kills and policeman and is now on the run. He falls in love with an American woman and tries to persuade her to run away to Italy with him.
The common use of jump cuts, multiple camera shots and camera movements stimulate various emotions, feelings, and mood to the audience. Jean – Luc Godard uses these cinematic styles to form the aspect and mood of the film. During the scenes when Michel stole the car there are various jump cuts which effects the general feel of the scene. By using jump cuts the viewer will see and hear less of what happens in each scene. Jean – Luc Goddard also has a good use of unique framing in his cinematic style. For example, while Michel and Patricia are in the car we see Patricia in Michel’s Point of view. |
Directors described as an Auteur
Quinten Tarantino In my opinion I think Quinten Tarantino could be described as an Auteur. Tarantino has a unique style to his films and commonly uses pop culture references, for example in Pulp Fiction when Lance offers Vincent ‘Bava’ another type of Heroin, the reference is a homage to Mario Bava. Another pop culture reference is Jody is wearing a t- shirt with Fred Flintstone when Vincent shows up. Tarantino tends to include pieces of other directors work to pay homage for his influences. Quinten Tarantino developed his own modern creations to the cinema. His films are very recognisable for the common use of violence, humour and the craziness, this makes Tarantino divergent between most film makers. His style can be closely linked with the work of Martin Scorsese’s with the use of long tracking shot and Gods POV shots from above looking down on the characters. Tarantino likes to use a range of camera angles and shots for example his most distinctive Trunk shot where the camera is placed at a low angle with the character looking downwards into the trunk of a car. Other popular shots used in his films are close ups of lips, common shots of characters’ feet and 360° shots. Tarantino has created his own fictional brands in which he uses in all his films, the Big Kahuna Burger, Red Apple cigarettes, G.O Juice, Teriyaki Donut, Tenku Brand Beer and Jack Rabbit Slim’s. Tarantino likes to sharpen the character’s personalities and emotions to make them more believable, he also has a talent of making the dialogue just as interesting and enjoyable as the visuals. Tarantino often has strong female leads in his films and the violence tends to be exaggerated. In Kill Bill the main character is a beautiful blonde set out on a death parade against the people who mistreated .He also likes to have recurring character names and actors. The narrative for Tarantino’s films tend to be different from other directors. For example, Pulp Fiction’s story is told in a linear format, the story and events are shown in chronological order which flows nicely. Kill Bill’s narrative is mostly told using flash backs and his films commonly feature revenge. Violence is a great representation of storytelling which can really define film endings, for example it could be situation where a character should die. |
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Wes Anderson
Another director in which I think could be described as an Auteur is Wes Anderson. His distinctive visual style to accentuate colours, line, shape and texture. Anderson likes to use vibrant or pastel colours from the primary coloured pallets. His particular use for yellow fonts during films and tiles, show one of his many characteristics and signature styles. The 1950’s and 60’s were an influence on Anderson and have been incorporated into his work. As we can see, a lot of his scenery tends to reflects on those eras. Ever shot in a Wes Anderson film is carefully presented and organised, the borderline is just as essential as what is centred. Ignoring the rule of thirds, Anderson is known for centring character and objects, this visual style allows us to become more observant to the mise en scene. Centring the subject means the viewers can focus on what is in front but also what’s up close and the symmetrical composition make the visuals aesthetically appealing for the viewers. Anderson bases his characters on misfits or outsiders who are struggling or trapped in a space or society where they simply don’t fit in. He will also focus on families, or broken families which brings to the attention of parenthood and the absence of an ideal parental figure. An example can be shown in his film Fantastic Mr Fox which debate the character’s suitability of being parents. Most Wes Anderson films are a combination of genres. Drama, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, and Adventure but parenthood is usually the key theme or subject matter. His films will draw attention to the value of family, friends, love and death. In conclusion Wes Anderson is considered an Auteur because not only does he focus on cinematography but also his writing and storytelling which don’t peruse the usual conventions of holly wood screen writing and in every Anderson film we will see his signature style which is recognizable and unique to other auteurs. |
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Tim Burton
Tim Burton can also be an Auteur with his fondness for the irregular, means his films fit with the Fantasy genre. His films are usually personal with the influence of his feeling and believe which he can interpret on screen, with his characters and the storyline. Burton’s characters usually find themselves in situations that would usually happen to people in the real world. The characters are commonly misunderstood and generally isolated from others. He will explore the social issues and problems in his films, for example peer pressure and orthodoxy. Burton’s themes were influenced by his childhood and the protagonists are typically good natured and innocent, for example Edward Scissorhands. Burton also incorporated the understanding that people have two sides to their personality which we can easily see in the themes of his films. Complementing the fairness between good/bad and innocence/ darkness. From Burton’s sketches to what we see on screen is almost the exact representations of his visions and imagination. He will repetitively use symbols or signs in his work, for example skeletons, spiders, dogs, bats, model towns, graveyard settings, black and white stripes and topiaries. These often have no connection or meaning to Burton but quite often appear in his work. Johnny Depp has regularly starred in Burton’s films, He can take Burton’s visions of characters and bring them to life using the same behaviour and mannerism as the visualised character. Burton chooses actors that can portray the characters how he likes them to be. In conclusion Tim Burton is an Auteur because of his unusual choice of story lines and characters situations but also the fact that his films are from the heart. |
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Feminist Film Theory:
Early feminist film theory and criticism was targeted at the stereotypical representation of women in typical Hollywood films. The stereotypical image of women in Hollywood had a bad effect on the female viewers, so they made the decision to make a more positive representation of women in Hollywood films. The way they presented woman was so they looked natural, realistic and attractive.
Usually in films the male character is powerful, strong and dominant. The story will often revolve around him, whereas the female character will be considered weak, powerless and passive. The female characters are primarily dressed and subjected for the male eye.
Laura Mulvey and her ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ article explore the theory of the Male gaze and discusses the relationship between the screen and the viewer. Mulvey suggested that cinema works using its codes and conventions and the fact that films are constructed for a male’s point of view, which show women as sexual objects and to be ‘looked at’.
Her theory of the Male gaze shows that visual arts such as films and TV shows portray woman as nothing but sexualised entity for male viewing and pleasure.
Usually in films the male character is powerful, strong and dominant. The story will often revolve around him, whereas the female character will be considered weak, powerless and passive. The female characters are primarily dressed and subjected for the male eye.
Laura Mulvey and her ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ article explore the theory of the Male gaze and discusses the relationship between the screen and the viewer. Mulvey suggested that cinema works using its codes and conventions and the fact that films are constructed for a male’s point of view, which show women as sexual objects and to be ‘looked at’.
Her theory of the Male gaze shows that visual arts such as films and TV shows portray woman as nothing but sexualised entity for male viewing and pleasure.
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Hunger Games
When Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister is chosen to compete in the Hunger Games in which they fight to the death. Katniss volunteers as tribute to fight in her sister’s place. The other tribute in her district, Peeta becomes her star-crossed lover and they fight their way through the hunger games together, but there can only be one winner. This film shows a very female driven role with the main character being strong, independent and fearless. Her character’s personality and costume goes against the typical Hollywood conventions of a female character. She can defend herself and fight for her district to ultimately win the competition. Katniss does not dress inappropriately but dressed in comfortable clothes suited for action. Most of her body is covered and no aspect of her is revealing. In this film the female character are seen in a very different light to what they usually are in typically films. Katniss is considered as a feminist because of her upper body strength, speed and intelligence. She also learns to identify value and finally accepts her feminine strengths. Katniss is able to keep her strength while opening herself up to the influence of mutual support and sisterhood. Finally, Katniss is a perfect role model for girls and feminists around the world. |
Thelma and Louise
Louise, a diner waitress and her best friend Thelma decide to go on a weekend away. Thelma gets herself into a horrible situation and a man tries to rape her, Louise shoots the man and gets herself into a lot of trouble. This results in both going on the run from the police whilst continuing to get themselves into more trouble as Thelma decides to rob a store. The two friends decide to go to Mexico but are soon chased down by the American police. This film is a good representation of feminist film theory. In the beginning, Thelma and Louise are very feminine and just up for some fun but throughout the film as they find themselves getting into more problems and running from the police, their personalities start to change and they become more confident and in a way, masculine. Another thing that changes is the way they dress, first they dress quite feminine in skirts and blouses, towards the end of the film they begin to dress more masculine which makes them look confident. |
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Erin Brockovich
An unemployed, broke, single mother of three in desperate need of a job to raise her children. Erin soon accepts a job as a legal assistant in a Californian firm paying her low wages. After stumbling across medical records amongst real estate files she manages to convince her boss to allow her to investigate. This leads to Erin discovering a cover up involving contaminated water causing a serious illness with some community residents. This is a very successful movie which represents the main character as a brave woman who is very defensive but at the same time focused and strong. This film changes the theory on gender roles and gives a great example of a single mother in modern times. This film embraces some of the key theories of women in film showing Erin Brockovich a single broke mother with the motivation to be a good mother raising her children in the right way and with love. As the film is based on a true story it reflects the problems women faced in the early 1990’s and other times in history. |
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Other films that fit the Feminist Film Theory:
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'Male Gaze' Theory:
Van Wilder
Van Wilder has been a student at his college for seven years and is the most popular guy on campus, throwing parties to pay for his tuition fees. Another student named Gwen who writes for the college paper is assigned a task to write a story based on Van, she writes the story based on information she has gathered from others and ends up writing a report that Van disagrees with. Van’s only interested is to try to get with Gwen but there is one thing stopping him, her boyfriend.
This film fits perfectly with Laura Mulvey’s ‘Male Gaze’ theory. The female characters are sexual objects, who the guys are always trying to get with. The camera will usually show the male’s view and filming shots of the girl’s boobs and bottoms and many shots of them naked or taking their shirts off. The camera can emphasis the females natural body curves making it more appealing to men.
Van Wilder has been a student at his college for seven years and is the most popular guy on campus, throwing parties to pay for his tuition fees. Another student named Gwen who writes for the college paper is assigned a task to write a story based on Van, she writes the story based on information she has gathered from others and ends up writing a report that Van disagrees with. Van’s only interested is to try to get with Gwen but there is one thing stopping him, her boyfriend.
This film fits perfectly with Laura Mulvey’s ‘Male Gaze’ theory. The female characters are sexual objects, who the guys are always trying to get with. The camera will usually show the male’s view and filming shots of the girl’s boobs and bottoms and many shots of them naked or taking their shirts off. The camera can emphasis the females natural body curves making it more appealing to men.
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Easy A
After a little white lie get outs and around the school, Olive finds herself as the victim of a rumour mill. She lied to her friend about losing her virginity and word gets around giving Olive a huge amount of attention to which she doesn’t mind. She agrees to help a friend by pretending to sleep with him and soon downgrades herself, she helps more classmates and the lies seem to spiral. Olive tries to save herself from expulsion from her religious school. This film fits both the ‘Male Gaze’ theory and the feminist film theory. After the lie got out about Olive losing her virginity, she begins to dress differently and more revealing which gave her more male attention. This also fits with the Feminist film theory as it has a powerful message about teen sexuality and the fact that it’s no one else’s business but your own. Despite all the slut shaming olive got she did not actually sleep with anyone which shows she is a strong-minded woman. Amongst all the sex and name calling the film explores the negative points of rumours. Showing that rumours are not true and primarily no one’s business. |
Bad Teacher
When her wealthy fiancé breaks it off and gold digger Elizabeth Halsey is forced to return to the middle school where she worked as a teacher and not a good one. She gets a liking for the new teacher Scott and soon finds out he is rich. she ups her game as a teacher when she finds out there is a bonus for the teachers who class scores the highest on the state exam. If she gets the bonus, Elizabeth want to save up for a breast implant to try to get Scott to have an interest in her. The main character in this film, Elizabeth Hasley does what it takes to earn the bonus wages and get a breast implant. During a car wash fundraiser, Elizabeth takes it upon herself to help them raise more money by dressing in short shorts and a tight and revealing shirt that is tied up at the bottom showing her stomach. From the picture below we see Elizabeth led across the car in a seductive manner whilst cleaning the car. This in fact raised more money for their fundraiser and also got other male character attention, therefore fitting with the 'Male Gaze' theory.
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Other films that fit the 'Male Gaze' theory:
Based on the worst people you will ever meet, a group of girls called 'The Plastics'. Cady is warned to stay away from 'The Plastics' but eventually befriends them and later becomes one of them.
The characters in this film strive for the male attention and wear revealing outfit to appeal to men in their high school. |
In this film the female characters use their bodies to get the main character, John Tucker's attentions, who is allegedly dating multiple girls at the same time. Their aim throughout the film is to prove that John Tucker is a sleeve.
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In this particular scene we see Sharpay walking through the high school corridors with all the male attention on her. The pink leather knee high boots and mini skirt is to get the male attention even in a children's film. During this scene there are various shots of the characters body, one that particularly stands out is the behind shot of Sharpay's bottom this shows that producers still try to include subjects of the 'Male Gaze' theory in films that are made for youngsters.
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Conclusion
The way films represent women has not exactly move on from the typical Hollywood conventions of a female character, although we do see a change in some films. But overall they will always find some way to add in the essence of female eroticism to fit with the male gaze. Strong female roles are starting to become popular in films which moves on from the stereotypes of women and some don’t.