Laura Mulvey's "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema"

[@sophiemitchell5644]

Hi, I've found this video unbelievably helpful in understanding this theory. I'm analysing female friendship in film for my sociology dissertation. I'd love another video on Mulvey's own critique of her theory and other critiques.

[@maguirefunanimation4686]

In "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" by Laura Mulvey, the essay delves into the concept of the "male gaze" in traditional Hollywood cinema. Mulvey argues that mainstream films often present the audience with a visual perspective that caters to a heterosexual male viewpoint, objectifying women on screen as passive objects of desire. The essay discusses how the camera's lens, controlled by the male gaze, positions viewers to identify with the male protagonist while visually consuming female characters as objects of pleasure. This dynamic reinforces gender stereotypes and power imbalances, perpetuating the dominance of the male perspective in cinematic storytelling. Mulvey also explores the idea of scopophilia, the pleasure derived from looking, and how it influences the cinematic experience by shaping viewer perceptions and reinforcing societal norms. Additionally, she touches on the concept of voyeurism and its role in the power dynamics depicted in films. Overall, Mulvey's work in "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" has been influential in feminist film theory, prompting audiences to critically analyze how gender, power, and desire are constructed and portrayed in visual narratives, particularly within the context of classical Hollywood cinema.

[@nattyvishal]

one of the best & clearest explanations ❤

[@mirai____]

Thank you so much for your work. I am between a lit BA and MA and am using your channel and podcast to build on my knowledge from my degree. When I am more financially stable I will support you on Patreon.

[@captainjackiepaul]

Good job! This was so helpful to me writing my dissertation. Thanks so much.

[@idontunderstandthatreferen6928]

Thank you I’m currently struggling with an essay on this topic this was really helpful

[@yepitsjilly]

this was a great summary, thank you! i’m studying for a film studies exam

[@coryw31]

Now I'm curious to know which cultural lens is she referring to? In most Indigenous cultures, the "male dominance" was not a thing prior to colonialism. And even to this day, there are still Indigenous Nations that follow those "old" protocols of matrilineal perspective. My guess is this theory is based on the euro - centric perspective of male dominance and female submission throughout history; and how it has maintained itself through media.

[@Dachshundcrazy]

Actually it is. And still is. Most smaller indigenous groups are male ran. And the males have a certain status over the women especially girls in the group

[@tristesse_estivale]

this video really helped me understanding complex concepts easily, thanks a lot

[@文盲升降机]

Thank you for posting this video!! I'm saved.

[@loopy4laughs]

Great explanation! Thanks so much

[@ahmadhussain2136]

Brilliant job! You make it like a piece of cake! Also, can you please cover Lacanian psychoanalysis separately, especially his concepts like "jouissance", "Objet petit a" and the Big Other? I really look forward to your series on Lacan. Thank you so much in anticipation!

[@misscraycray777]

Here's a playlist that may help: kzbin.info/aero/PLDvssA_tZq-JYFznP-uuEQRUyWPAy-Bm2

[@misscraycray777]

You always help me out with theory when I need it. I have a Literature and Cinema paper coming up in a week and I am going to study now 😩

[@bhagabatibhowmik8685]

Thank you for this video. Can you Suggest please,any movie name preferably with reference to Mulvey essay.?

[@krunkle5136]

I love the idea of saying 'dominating', instead of 'watching', episodes of Diagnosis Murder.

[@punkprimate]

Hi David I find your content very informative and your topic choices are also great. I was wondering if you have a goodreads account or something similar so I'd be able to follow you more closely. Thanks in advance

[@LitArtCulture]

Her theory was very influential, but there have been several robust critiques of her work. One thing is that she doesn't account for homosexuals.

[@ReligionsFakten]

Do you belief this "theory" David? It is so alien to me and if I would talk about it in daily life with other people they would think Iam crazy.

[@Dachshundcrazy]

These people (notice mostly men. No offense to you if you're a man.) Don't get that it's a subconscious, internalized, and metaphorical idea. I highly doubt men walk around actually afraid of losing their penis. It's a metaphor and these surface level responses are kinda the opposite of these deeper psycho analytical ideas. Its an innate fear of losing control iver ones self/situation. Or a loss of power over someone. Also this can be applied to homosexuals as well. Many women and men and they/thems have deeply internalized misogyny that uphold and encouraged these types of ideas and power structures. Also homosexuals make up a very small percentage of the world globally/statically. So to talk about specifically about these heterosexual patriarchal structures is more accurate because since they are the majority they have the majority/most push on society and societies ideas. Its structures.

[@gao123_89]

I'm very skeptical of the idea that men are naturally afraid of castration, the idea of which subconsciously permeates all of their thoughts and biases. Is there any reason I should take this idea seriously?

[@fetishmagic2419]

you're sounding kinda castrated rn sis ngl.... oh and btw when you write "naturally", it should instead read "culturally"; this is not a question of nature but one of culture, oh my emasculated Daniel

[@Zing_art]

You’re right. It’s suspicious to me as well

[@timothygudz8756]

I'm with Daniel on this one...I cant relate to Mulvey on her theory of castration.

[@socky2469]

The way I see it is that gender roles exist as a product in the visual difference of sexes. In the same way that racism often embeds itself in skin tone or some other scientific basis, we look for differences based on physical characteristics. My assumption would be that Freud might argue that since men operate in the dominant position relative to women, they begin to assume that their power is explicitly FROM the only physical difference between the sexes, represented by the fear of castration. So I don't think it's a theory of how it came to be, but rather how it perpetuates itself, if that makes sense

[@misscraycray777]

@@fetishmagic2419 Castration anxiety is not necessarily physical, but just the innate fear of losing control over yourself, or your social being, or losing phallic (patriarchal) power. Thus men's fear of losing masculinity, their social being, if they come out as homosexual, and therefore the desire to exercise control over that which is a lack --- the female.

[@Zing_art]

Not a revolutionary text for the present times as such. Might have been revolutionary when it was written.

[@TheoryPhilosophy]

Exactly

[@aravindnair9650]

She coined the term male gaze that paved way for other film theory texts and critique. Saying it isn't revolutionary for the present times as such does not make sense since it is one of the foundations for feminist film theory. Not sure why it isn't revolutionary for present times anyway, films more often than not(including mainstream and most of independent cinema) still incorporate similar patriarchal structures or offshoot of the structures so her criticisms are still valid.

[@36cmbr]

1+1=1

[@dangeroussecondaccount893]

You look like they put keith and Zach had a kid together!!!

[@TheoryPhilosophy]

Let them know I'm sure they'd love to hear about it!

[@rcoven4921]

Is Roman Reigns as hot as Roman Reigns......smart....r coven