Are women in action movies represented as empowered female role models or as sex objects?
Females in action movies are being represented as independent, tough and empowered women in control, however only to an extent. Although women are shown to be active within society in action movies, they are still being portrayed as sex objects, who are the “subject of male gaze”. Contemporary movies such as “Wanted” (2008) directed by Timur Bekmambetov, reflects the growth “in the presence and influence of women in media” as the protagonist Fox is played by a well known female actor Angelina Jolie, who is well known for her empowering roles in action movies. Historically action movies are well known for being male dominated, however “as times have changed so have women’s roles in society”, resulting in the role they play in movies.
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Monday 26 January 2009
SELF EVALUATION
Attainment -4 it’s been poor, but that’s because I’ve been ill and also been away due to my exams
Effort -2 even though I’m not always in class I do put effort into my work away and in class, for example I have been putting a lot of effort into my independent study.
Punctuality -2 I’m pretty much always on time
Ability to work independently -1 I think I work very well on my own
Quality of writing -2 my quality of writing is good however there is room for improvement
Organisation of my media folder -1 my folder is organised and up to date
Oral contribution in class -4 I think its disgraceful, I need to contribute a lot more.
Standard of module 5 blog –2 It’s up to date, every things in place, I got a lot of postings
Standard of module 6 blog -3 its average, it’s not great but it is good, I do need to post up a bit more
Attainment -4 it’s been poor, but that’s because I’ve been ill and also been away due to my exams
Effort -2 even though I’m not always in class I do put effort into my work away and in class, for example I have been putting a lot of effort into my independent study.
Punctuality -2 I’m pretty much always on time
Ability to work independently -1 I think I work very well on my own
Quality of writing -2 my quality of writing is good however there is room for improvement
Organisation of my media folder -1 my folder is organised and up to date
Oral contribution in class -4 I think its disgraceful, I need to contribute a lot more.
Standard of module 5 blog –2 It’s up to date, every things in place, I got a lot of postings
Standard of module 6 blog -3 its average, it’s not great but it is good, I do need to post up a bit more
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Are women in action movies represented as empowered female role models or as sex objects?
Females in action movies are being represented as independent, tough empowered women in control, however to an extent. Although women are shown to be active within society in action movies, they are still being portrayed as sex objects, who are the “subject of male gaze” . Contemporary movies such as “Wanted” (2008) directed by Timur Bekmambetov, reflects the growth “in the presence and influence of women in media” as the protagonist “Fox” is played by a well known female actor Angelina Jolie, who is well known for her empowering roles in action movies. Historically action movies are well known for being male dominated, however “as times have changed so have women’s roles in society” , resulting in the role they play in movies.
Females in action movies are being represented as independent, tough empowered women in control, however to an extent. Although women are shown to be active within society in action movies, they are still being portrayed as sex objects, who are the “subject of male gaze” . Contemporary movies such as “Wanted” (2008) directed by Timur Bekmambetov, reflects the growth “in the presence and influence of women in media” as the protagonist “Fox” is played by a well known female actor Angelina Jolie, who is well known for her empowering roles in action movies. Historically action movies are well known for being male dominated, however “as times have changed so have women’s roles in society” , resulting in the role they play in movies.
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Monday 5 January 2009
Historical text
Alien-(1979)
This film was one of the first action films to have a female protagonist; this reflected the zeitgeist of the text. Even though the setting was in the future, the ideologies presented, reflected the “spirit of the age”. During the late 70’s second wave feminism was on the rise, this meant women were beginning to gain control, this is represented in ‘Alien’, as ‘Ripley’, played by Sigourney Weaver, thrives to express her opinions, and gain control. In the end of the movie she does, as she is the one who is alive, and the only one who succeeded in killing the alien. Through the ending she is presented to be an empowered role model, which shows the change in the society during that period of time.
In many ways Ripley is the same as ‘Fox’ in wanted, as the are presented as hero’s, even though Fox dies in the end, her death could symbolise she’s a hero as she gave her life for Wesley. However in ‘Alien’ there are some scenes were women are shown to be inferior, an example is when in the beginning Ripley wants “o out after them”, (the ones who needed help), Ash, who is a man, replies “there’s no point!” The fact he tells her and doesn’t suggest it connotes men have control over women. However this is to an extent as in the end she wins, showing women are becoming more powerful in society and Action films. During the 1970’s it was very rare to find female lead characters, this changed after “Alien” as directors saw how successful it was having a women as the protagonist and began using females more often. This shows how the audience reacted positively towards seeing an empowered female on screen.
Alien-(1979)
This film was one of the first action films to have a female protagonist; this reflected the zeitgeist of the text. Even though the setting was in the future, the ideologies presented, reflected the “spirit of the age”. During the late 70’s second wave feminism was on the rise, this meant women were beginning to gain control, this is represented in ‘Alien’, as ‘Ripley’, played by Sigourney Weaver, thrives to express her opinions, and gain control. In the end of the movie she does, as she is the one who is alive, and the only one who succeeded in killing the alien. Through the ending she is presented to be an empowered role model, which shows the change in the society during that period of time.
In many ways Ripley is the same as ‘Fox’ in wanted, as the are presented as hero’s, even though Fox dies in the end, her death could symbolise she’s a hero as she gave her life for Wesley. However in ‘Alien’ there are some scenes were women are shown to be inferior, an example is when in the beginning Ripley wants “o out after them”, (the ones who needed help), Ash, who is a man, replies “there’s no point!” The fact he tells her and doesn’t suggest it connotes men have control over women. However this is to an extent as in the end she wins, showing women are becoming more powerful in society and Action films. During the 1970’s it was very rare to find female lead characters, this changed after “Alien” as directors saw how successful it was having a women as the protagonist and began using females more often. This shows how the audience reacted positively towards seeing an empowered female on screen.
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