The Representation of Gender in Film - Movie Review Example

Introduction The representation of gender in film is one which is defined by the male and female role in society, as well as the expectations which are a part of gender identity. More than the concept of sexuality, gender has become a discourse on different groups, specifically which are marginalized and carry specific actions. The boundaries which are created in gender lead to a definition of which actions should be presented by women or men. Women in modern day society are undergoing a silent war against male driven actions, specifically which is noted in film. Identifying the concepts of marginalization and gender definitions in global film shows how the boundaries of gender are defined in various regions of society. Two films which portray this theme are A Question of Silence by Marleen Gorris and The Housemaid by Im Sang – Soo. A Question of Silence The discourse of feminist theory in A Question of Silence is one which shows several areas of boundaries and marginalization, as well as a question of gender identity. The portrayal of the three women are first depicted, all which take on a traditional identity in terms of gender. However, this is broken when they move from shoplifting different items to beating the male shopkeeper to death. This specific action sets the gender identity into motion, specifically because the action is one which is not expected in relation to the female gender identity. The shock which this leaves is one which creates a suspicion that the women are insane and that the actions which were warranted were because of mental instability. After finding that this is not true, there becomes a question of what the intent was of beating the male shopkeeper, specifically because of the associated anger that was taken with the actions (Gorris, 1). The feminist discourse which is associated with this film is based on the silence of the women as well as the stereotypes and immediate associations with gender identity which is portrayed. The silent association with the fight is one which is displayed through the actions which the women take as well as the shift in actions. The narrative is one which depicts silence after the action which is taken; however, the women are all known to fight the male domination in society through the action of beating the male shopkeeper to death. The metaphor of violence, as well as the following assumptions, all show the concept of feminist identity and the marginalization which the women are placed into. The violence becomes a way to speak about the male domination in society as well as the submission which the women are expected to have and which they silently have to rebel against. More important, there is an association with women who are beaten by men and which are seen acceptable in domestic abuse and violence. The reaction of women in this situation; however, is seen as a shock, which shows the relationship between silence and gender, as well as the marginalized expectations of women who are required to be more submissive in a given society (Smelik, 349). The Housemaid The Housemaid, by Im Sang – Soo, also depicts questions of violence and the silence which women are subjected to in given situations. The main narrative of the housemaid is based on the basic routines which a woman has to follow for a bourgeois class, specifically with cleaning routines. While in this position, she is subjected to different actions, specifically which are associated with sexuality and the oppressive and dominant acts which the man is able to take both against her and others that are in the household. The marginalized depiction of the housemaid comes from her inability to come out of the situation as well as the submissiveness which she has to show while working in the home. The expected role which she is associated with is defined by her sexuality as a woman first as well as the belief by those in the household that the different acts of violence and sexuality can be taken without a word spoken against it, specifically because of class, power and expected roles between gender and status (Sang – Soo, 1). The association that is a part of the film and identity of gender is one which is defined by the levels of marginalization that are expected from the housemaid. The association of sexuality, role of the housemaid and ways in which the story is depicted all create a boundary between those who have hired the housemaid and the duties which she is expected to perform. This is followed by the silence which the housemaid is bound to have as well as the forms of submissiveness which are created, specifically because of the socioeconomic status that is a part of the work. The concept of gender identity in this film is based specifically on creating boundaries and a role of submissiveness. In return, the woman is expected to remain silent through the duties. However, the turn which occurs is based on the war which the housemaid begins to wage against the men, specifically with silent movements that begin to change the role of submissiveness that the woman is expected to take (Kim, 17). Gender Issues in Film The first gender issue which is raised in the film is based on creating the boundaries of identity which are expected from the women. In both films, there is a continuous division between the male and female roles, all which are identified by the actions taken as well as the reactions which occur. For instance, in A Question of Silence, there are raised questions about why the women didn’t remain silent as well as why and how they could choose to beat a shopkeeper to death. More important, this shock from the actions of the women is one which leads to questions of why the women didn’t remain silent, what the expectations should have been and whether it was a question of insanity. The continuous reactions show that the identity of gender and the women is one which is defined as a submissive role and which doesn’t provide a role for women in society. The same boundaries of submissiveness are in The Housemaid, specifically as she is expected to remain silent about the actions of the housekeeper, both with sexuality and other things which occur in the household. The gender issue which is created is one which is based on silence, expected submissiveness and how this relates specifically to the identity of gender (Cohan, Hark, 62). The identity of gender in both films is one which begins with the personal and then becomes a reflection of the societal conflicts which are associated with gender. In both movies, the identity of each woman is slowly revealed, specifically because of personal associations with men or circumstances in which each is in. The individual nature which is a part of the films becomes one of the conflicts. As the personal struggles begin to arise in the film, it becomes associated with the societal conflicts, specifically with a process that creates a sense of marginalization and the understanding of the social that is a part of life. The personal becomes gender, which then turns into a culture of gender and which becomes associated with institutions and authority that define what gender means within a given context (Kaplan, 318). Another concept which is associated with the marginalization and gender identity is based on the struggle for power and the silent war which is created between the men and women in the film. In both films, there is an expectation that the women will remain silent. In Question of Silence, this raises because of the court and jury expectations as well as the belief that the women are insane. In The Housemaid, this becomes a question of the role in which the main character is in as well as the expected duties which are to be performed without a response. However, both of the films show the women trying to find a way to fight back from the feeling of being suppressed in the household and in given situations. The fighting which occurs is one which becomes a question of power, specifically in terms of gender identity. Through both films, there is an understanding of the actions of the women as well as a desire for the identity to move out of the submissive roles so the silence can be broken and power structures can alter. This is associated specifically with ideas of post feminism and the need to create a voice and equality of power between the male and female roles in contemporary society (Tasker, Negra, 107). Resolution of Gender Marginalization and Silence While both films show that there is a sense of marginalization and submissiveness through silence, there is also not a resolution of overcoming this silence. Both of the films end with the societal expectations overcoming the voice and the silent wars in which the women are fighting. The gender politics then continue to be seen with a silent war which can’t be overcome through the women in the film. In The Question of Silence, this is seen because of the one crime committed by the women, without an understanding of the other side of the violent acts and why it was performed. In The Housemaid, the expected gender roles and societal values create the inability for the woman to change her gender role, level of power or speech toward the man in the film. The boundary which is divided in the movies then continues with the expected gender roles and the ways in which this continues to create silence among women while going unrecognized in society. The main statement which both films make is based on the inability to find a resolution, specifically because of the gender identity which is seen over the main conflicts which have occurred. The social process is one which overcomes the women’s struggle for power and identity. More important, the inabilities to allow social standards to overcome the concepts of boundary as well as the definitions which define relationships continue to create a hierarchy in society. The gender identity then becomes one which is a larger conflict based on social standards and expectations, all which relate to judgments of power, associations with one’s role in society and the expected capabilities which one has in society. More important, the gender identity becomes linked to boundaries that happen behind closed doors and which don’t have a voice that is accepted within society. The lack of public knowledge and the inability to understand the gender identity and marginalization that happens in both public and private places then becomes conflicting in trying to find a resolution, specifically because the voice remains unheard and based in private places, as opposed to public areas (Woehrle, Engelmann, 4). The problems which arise in terms of gender identity not only are based on the inability to find resolution because of marginalization and public and private places. The historical references, acceptance of violence in the past and the social positioning of women create layers of conflict that are within a given society. The problem which arises is one which becomes problematic because of the several social spheres which reject the concept of gender identity outside of a form of submissiveness or in a role of silence (Kaplan, 506). Both movies show how there is a lack of acceptance when the women are not in silence, not only because of gender, but also because of the other problems which are associated with society. Gender Issues to Film’s Global Production and Reception The gender issues which are displayed through the films are not only reflective of the main point which is stated through both films. The reception which both received is also a statement which shows that the concepts of marginalization, gender identity, submissiveness and silence are still prevalent in society. In A Question of Silence, there was a response which allowed the movie to move from the Netherlands and into global recognition. The main concept which was seen with this film was based on the feminist twists that the director took while making the film, specifically with the levels of oppressiveness which the women faced, the unsettlement at the end and the male dominated society which was seen at the end of the film, despite the attempts to change the system through the actions of the women. These different displays of feminism became well – known and reviewed at a global level, with many recognizing the important implications which were a part of the director’s intent to recognize the marginalization of women (Jo, 1). The same recognition with The Housemaid is one which is continuing to reach the top charts and is moving from a South Korean film to one which is internationally recognized. The depiction of the housemaid from the beginning of the film, as well as the twists which are taken from the silence of the woman, is one which many are becoming attracted to. The recognition of the silence which the housemaid has to carry, distinguished roles which are taken from the elite and the housemaid as well as the way in which the drama twists through the film is one which is creating a sense of question for many at a global level. The sense of dominance and manipulation in the film, as well as the questions of social roles, all create specific questions of uncertainty and are attracting audiences to the main discourse which is presented through the film, showing that the silence is one which is recognized as problematic within society (Legel, 1). Conclusion The concepts of a loss of voice, submissiveness and marginalization in gender identity are one which has been questioned through feminism and roles which are expected in society. When examining different films, it can be seen that these concepts are based on a global problem which defines the identity of women as well as the silence which is expected from them. The understanding which is created in these two films show that the concept of silence and the desire to move out of this marginalized position becomes a main proponent for women in overcoming the identity that is expected as a role of society. However, the desire to break this silence and submissiveness is one which never has a resolution and is portrayed as a continuous problem and expectation within society. Works Cited Cohan, Steven, Ina Hark. Screening the Male: Exploring Masculinities in Hollywood Cinema Routledge: London, 1993. Gorris, Marleen. (dir). A Question of Silence. Sigma Films: Netherlands, 1983. Jo, S. “A Question of Silence: Movie Review.” The New York Times, 1983. Kaplan, Ann. Feminism and Film: Readings in Feminism. London: Oxford University Press. Kim, YL. “A Study on Sociocultural Adaptation of Immigrant Workers in Korean Society.” Omnes Journal (7), (1), 2010. Legel, Laremy. “Cannes Review: The Housemaid.” 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.film.com/features/story/cannes-review-the-housemaid/38573926. Smelik, Anneke. “And the Mirror Cracked: Metaphors of Violence in the Films of Marleen Gorris.” Women’s Studies International Forum. 16 (4), 1993. Sang – Soo, Im. (dir). The Housemaid. Korea 2010. Tasker, Yvonne, Diane Negra. “In Focus: Postfeminism and Contemporary Media Studies.” Cinema Journal 44 (2), 2005. Woehrle, Lynne, Donna Engelmann. Gender Studies. Elsevier: New York, 2008. Read More