Feminist film theory

It is possible to apply Feminist film theory to my film due to its main protagonist being a female. Feminist film theory centres on the way that females are portrayed in mainstream cinema, particularly in comparison to male characters.

Initial theories arose in the early 70s and were based on sociological theory and focusing on women characters' functions in particular genres and narrative structures, as well as the use of stereotypes to represent the way women are viewed in society. Feminist film theorists such as Marjorie Rosen and Molly Haskell look at how women are portrayed in relation to a broader context, such as the stereotypes used, the amount of screen time they are given, and the extent to which the women are shown as active or passive.

One significant theorist that we can look at is Laura Mulvey. She identifies and criticises three distinctive perspectives in film that operate to exploit and sexually objectify women:
1. Perspective of male character on-screen and their perception of the female character.
2. Perspective of the spectator as they watch the female character on-screen.
3. Joining of the above; the male spectator's perspective of the male character on-screen, allowing the male spectators to use the female character as his personal sex object as he is able to relate himself through looking to the male character on-screen.

How this applies to / goes against my film:
My film's main protagonist is female and therefore gets a high amount of screen time. She is not seen to be objectified or exploited, and carries a confident, determined personality, and is presented as the last one standing after the disappearances of all her friends, suggesting she is much more cautious. She is also represented as a leader, a role that is usually assigned to males. However, this may be criticised by some feminists as she is perhaps conforming to male traits to be more accepted in the society at large.

I personally do not see any major female characterists in my character. However, at the same time, her appearance does not completely suggest she is trying to break away from female conventions, which is shown in her long blonde hair. My film is targeted to both genders and it is therefore good that my character displays no bias to either gender.