#like this scene is visually pleasing and though it doesn't pass the bechdel test

[fallenandrogyne]

Barbie (2023)

[princesssarisa]

7 question ask: Belle

Three facts about them from my personal headcanons.

She inherited her love for stories of magic, adventure and romance from her mother, as well as her ladylike bearing and manners. I imagine that the 1991 Belle's mother died when she was between seven and ten years old. If she had never known her and Maurice had raised her alone, as in the 2017 remake, I think she would be more of a tomboy, as the 2017 Belle duly is.

Her curiosity and impulsiveness got her into all kinds of trouble when she was a little girl – since they still sometimes get her into trouble in her adulthood – which only reinforced the villagers' idea of her "oddness."

She can't cook. Maurice did all the cooking when she was growing up – he approached it as a science, just like inventing, and even though he favored eccentric ingredients, he did well. As a result, Belle would be comically hopeless in the kitchen.

A reason they suck:

She makes the mistake of revealing the Beast's existence to Gaston and the other villagers.

A reason they are great:

Her personality is such a wonderful blend of sweetness, strong will, emotion, intellect, dignity, and warmth.

A reason I relate to them:

I also spend more time reading than I do socializing.

(what I consider to be) the top tier otp/ot3 for that character:

She belongs with the Beast/Prince Adam, no question.

Five things that never happened to the character that I believe should have happened:

I don't necessarily think these things should have happened, because they might have needlessly complicated the movie. But on a purely emotional level, they appeal to me.

She should have conversed with another villager besides the bookseller near the beginning of the movie – preferably with a woman for enhanced Bechdel Test-passing. She could have seen that villager doing some heavy work and helped her (showing that she isn't a lazy snob who shuns her hardworking neighbors), and then they could have talked about Belle's dreams of adventure, with her neighbor sympathizing but reminding her "We're poor people, we can't afford to dream." Belle would agree, saying that between laundry, errands, gardening, tending the animals, and taking the chickens' eggs to market, she only has an hour or two each day to read. (Again, this would make it clear that she doesn't just read all day while her neighbors work.) Then she could say something like "But maybe if we hope and wish hard enough for a better, then maybe someday..." And her resigned, practical neighbor would shut her down with some remark like "You're a kind girl, but you are odd" and walk away.

She should have conversed further with the Beast about his temper, and offered him a kind suggestion for how to control it by describing what she does to calm herself down. Visualizing something pretty and peaceful, for example, or privately venting to an imaginary friend, or going for a walk outdoors (much like she talks to the chickens and goats and then runs out onto the hill when she's angry about Gaston's proposal). I would have liked to see that, because real-world anger management requires more than being shamed.

She should have had a chance to talk about her mother. Not in the way of the 2017 remake, per se, but in some way. Maybe in the above conversation with the Beast, when she tells him her method of calming herself, she could explain that her mother taught it to her when she was a little girl.

She should have had a conversation with Mrs. Potts in her dressing room before the dance scene, paralleling the Beast's with Lumiere. Or better still, a conversation with Mrs. Potts and Fifi/Babette, giving the latter more characterization than just "flirty French maid." More female/female interaction, please!

In the final scene, she and the Prince should have been shown taking a break from ballroom dancing, and stopping to look at a mural on a wall that depicts a map of the world. (Similar to Linda Woolverton's original idea of showing her sticking pins into a map near the beginning.) The Prince could ask her where she wants to travel to now that they can leave the castle, and she would exuberantly point to all the places from her favorite books (Verona for Romeo and Juliet, England for King Arthur, etc.) while the Prince laughs at the sheer number. Then one of the servants would point out that the music is starting again and they would go back to the dance. This would let the audience know that Belle hasn't given up her dreams of adventure.

Five people that character never fell in love with and why.

Gaston. No explanation needed.

Lefou. Ditto.

Lumiere. He's a good friend, but he's slightly too old for her and a little too flamboyant and vain.

Cogsworth. He's also a good friend, but a little too old for her, and too stuffy.

Chip. He's nowhere near old enough.

[films-with-tay]

The Male Gaze In Hollywood's Biggest Franchise

INTRODUCTION:

Many movies visibly show the 'Male Gaze' (the act of depicting women, and the world, from a heterosexual, masculine perspective). For example, All James Bond movies (especially the first Jinx scene from Die Another Day). This is still heavily prominent in modern media, including the highest grossing franchise of modern media; The MCU (with 9 movies in the top 30 grossing films of all time). In this essay I will be explaining, in my own words, how the 'Male Gaze' is still a problem in todays society, but also how it is being countered (mainly by the 'Female Gaze'). I hope you enjoy!

THE MALE AND FEMALE GAZE:

The 'Male Gaze Theory' was originally created by Laura Mulvey. It, the theory as a whole, has been added to and expanded on since its origins in her 1975 book ''Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema'' where she first lays out the 'Male Gaze Theory'. Overall, though, the 'Male Gaze' is the theory that as men are the driving force in media, all media produced; directed; and written; by men (most notably straight men) will be through the 'Male Gaze'. This means female characters will mainly be used as objects of desire, rather then essential, plot advancing, characters. An example of the 'Male Gaze' is the Gucci Guilty fragrance advert staring Chris Evans. This is a good example as it uses the 'Male Gaze's' beauty standard to sell the fragrance, showing that the 'Male Gaze' is so prominent it can be used effectively to make profits. It uses the male perception, on what men think women think an attractive man is to sell a fragrance to men. This is because, Chris Evans is a good example of what straight men think women want a man to look like.

One addition to Laura Mulvey's theory, is the counter theory, of the 'Female Gaze'. In recent years, women have started to develop eyes, for the first time, and have now started to take up producer; writer; and directing positions. this has given rise to the birth of a new perspective (most accurately dubbed the 'Female Gaze'). As the 'Female Gaze' is still new it is not solidified in what it is yet, contrary to the 'Male Gaze'. However, many people believe the 'Female Gaze' is stories being seen from the female perspective, and therefore, allowing female characters to be portrayed as more than characters solely to help the male protagonist. An example of the 'Female Gaze' is Harley Quinn's costume design in Birds of Prey (Directed by Cathy Yan). Her costume is changed to show more of her personality, in the way she wants to dress, and also to show how she is going through a breakup (her hair and makeup are less neat). Her costume also doesn't sexualise her, it is still revealing but it is easy to fight in and less tight (more practical).

The 'Female Gaze' is not the sexualisation of men - there is no denying, that this does happen, especially in modern media - however, many people who study these theories believe this is still male producers, and directors, sexualising men, to cater to the female audience. This is because, their 'Male Gaze' believes that is what women want to see, even though many women may disagree.

(If you would like more information on these theories please visit the links at the bottom)*

THE BECHDEL TEST:

One way to see how the 'Male Gaze' is still prominent in modern media is through the Bechdel Test. This test is used to gage how much a piece of media still only uses female characters as tools for the male characters' story-arc. The version of the Bechdel Test I am using requires there to be 1 conservation, between 2 named woman, that is not about a man, for every hour of runtime. For example, if it has an 1hr and 45min runtime, to pass, it needs 1 conversation between 2 named women that is not about a man. If it meets all 3 of these requirements it has passed the Bechdel Test. Sounds easy, Right!

There are 24 movies in the MCU (to date: 25/08/21) and only 8 of them pass the Bechdel Test. Given how the criteria is focused around how female characters, in general (as this test can be applied to all movie genres), are used in movies; it strongly shows the fact that the MCU still uses the Male Gaze to negate their female characters arcs, and it also shows the disparity between how male characters are treated Vs female characters.

To give some context. Within the first 3 minutes of the movie The Avengers (2012) Agent Colson and Nick Fury have had multiple conversations about something other than a man or a women; They are actually conversations about a stone encased in a box that can control space, but non the less this would pass the Bechdel Test (if applied to men). That being said The Avengers (2012) is not one of the 8 movies that passed the Bechdel Test, when applied to the female characters.

MODERN FEMALE GAZE MOVIES:

However, the use of female characters only as a tool to further the male characters story is changing. Out of the last 5 Marvel movies 4 passed the Bechdel Test. This shows how the role of female characters (as a whole) is getting better over-time. Some newer movies have even been considered to be from the 'Female Gaze'.

For example in Captain Marvel the stereotypical shots we usual see in a 'Male Gaze' movie are not there. One way this can be seen is when we look at the costume designs for all the characters. One good example of this is in Captain Marvel's costume itself. Compared to previous female heroes her suit is very different. Firstly, it is done all the way up - fully protecting her from gunfire. This is different to some previous female heroes as their costumes usually had a show of cleavage.

(If you would like a video example of the difference please visit the bottom)**

Secondly, unlike Black Widows first few costumes Captain Marvel's costume is made from a suitable material to fight in. Another contrast to Black Widow is Captain Marvel's fighting style. One move Black Widow (and most female heroes) is known for is the thigh spin (where they wrap their thighs around a mans neck to take them down) - we never see Captain Marvel do this - she fights more like the male heroes. Lastly, the helmet Captain Marvel has is specifically designed to keep the hair out of her face, unlike the other female heroes who have been criticised for not even tying their hair back.

Another way the 'Female Gaze' can be seen to oppose the general 'Male Gaze' is when we look at the overall theme of emotions. Captain Marvel is shown to be told through-out the movie to control her emotions, and that she fights worse when using them. This is something women get told a lot, daily, with constant attacks like "It's someone's time of the month" (when a woman becomes angry) or "She's so emotional" being used in day to day life to invalidate our emotions. Unfortunately, invalidating a woman's emotions, and creating a culture that believes women do not know their own emotions, is very harmful, and can hinder how successful women, who try to find help from situations like abusive relationships, are; as the people they will go to, may just believe they are overreacting.

MODERN MALE GAZE MOVIES:

However, despite the fact that representation is getting better there is still some MCU films coming out, recently, that are solely from the 'Male Gaze'. One major example is Avengers: Endgame.

This 3hr movie has time for The Hulk (a green human monster hybrid) to 'Dab', but it does not have time to show a funeral for one of the original avengers (the group the story specifically focuses on). This oversight is just on way the movie shows it is from the 'Male Gaze'.

Another way this movie shows it is from the 'Male Gaze' is the fact every female character, in this movie, is only there to help the male characters. Avengers: Endgame is written by 2 men (Stephen McFeely, and Chris Markus) and directed by 2 men (Joe and Anthony Russo). Now it can be assumed that these men only see female characters as a tool for the male characters as that is what this 3hr movie repeatedly shows. For example, Captain Marvel is used as help for Tony (rescuing him) and Thor (holding Thanos while Thor kills him) and then is side-lined until the end battle – where she doesn't succeed in saving the gauntlet - so Tony has to save the day. Captain Marvel's character treatment between her own solo movie (which is from the 'Female gaze') and Avengers: Endgame (the next movie she is in) is massive. Her character development has almost reversed instead of moving forward.

But Natasha's character treatment is by far the worst. Nat is used (and sacrificed) to get the 'Soul Stone' for The Avengers (which is male dominated) but most importantly for Hawkeye, for the sole reason that he has a family. This in itself would be a noble sacrifice - however, given how in Age of Ultron (a previous Avengers movie) she says to Bruce how she has no worth as a person, due to the fact she can't have kids, her dying, to save a family (which could continue without Hawkeye) does make this sacrifice very bitter tasting; and again drenched in the 'Male Gaze', of where a woman's worth lies in her ability to reproduce. All this and she did not get a funeral.

This shows how despite considerable progress movies are still so often dictated by men, and their opinion. This plays into a bigger issue then just the female vs male gaze, it can often cause harm to certain groups (e.g. through harmful stereotypes, that have been prominent in media for decades).

CONCLUSION:

To Conclude, the 'Male Gaze' is the theory that as men are the driving force in media, all media produced; directed; and written; by men (most notably straight men) will be through the 'Male Gaze'. As one can see by my evidence and explanation above the 'Male Gaze' is much less a theory and more a cultural fact (I say cultural, as the 'Male Gaze' is most prominent in American Movies). Therefore, as the 'Male Gaze' can still be seen in modern media, there is still a problem with the 'Male Gaze' in media; and a problem with straight men's views on women as a whole.

LINKS:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl2Eh8swrEs&ab_channel=TheMediaInsider

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lapZQysjAMI&ab_channel=TheMediaInsider

** https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRfJ3RK2/