Monday 13 October 2014

Laura Mulvey - Rihanna

Shut up and Drive & Laura Mulvey Theory



There's no doubt most
Watch the video first, then after I explain Laura Mulvey's theory then watch it for the second time.

Laura Mulvey's Theory

She is a British feminist, who studied at Birbeck, University of London. She is a profesor of film  and media studies, so she has thorough insight on how the industry works

Her famous essay that she wrote was from her journal Screen, entitled Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.


The industry illustrates two main assertions.

The entertainment industry reflects society - the industry tries to show relations with the real world

Society is patriarchal - society leans towards a male dominated world, and the industry prioritises the male audience

"The Male Gaze"



The male gaze is active, while the female is passive. In most narratives, not just the male character is drawn to the woman, but the camera forces to focus on the woman ourselves 

This is called the Triple Gaze...

Us, as the spectator are made to identify with the male gaze.


Now watch Shut up and Drive, again. 

Here are a couple shots I've spotted.


Classic, Lepord print heels. If that doesn't scream provactive, I don't know what other heels does.


Rihanna enters what seems to be a garage, a male dominated environment.



The camera gazes to her putting a cloth behind her, which what seems to be a male gaze.


She dances, emphasises her body to entertain the eyes of men.


Here's another shot of her empahising her body to an angle, attracting the gaze of the man.


The garage, which is normally a male environment is full of half dressed women.


The camera starts at their faces then, travels to their legs.                   



The camera shifts to an angle, where her full body is in view from behind.


The first male introduced by the camera seems to be distracted by Rihanna.


He looks at her, rather admiringly.


She starts the race.

...











No comments:

Post a Comment