Mulvey Theory

Laura Mulvey Theory

Mulvey argues that there are a number of features of cinema viewing that facilitate for the viewer both the voyeuristic process of objectification of female characters. She declares that in the patriarchal society the ‘pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. This is reflected in the dominant forms of cinema.

It refers to the way in which female’s signify themselves in order to satisfy the male gaze. The split between male, active gaze which looks and female obedience is looked upon. It is stated that women are always on display in film and seen as objects of sexual desire, the visual presence of females tends to stop the story line to dwell on the image.