Representation of Gender In the film Ma Vie en Rose - Essay Example

? Representation of Gender In the film “Ma Vie en Rose” Representation of Gender In the film “Ma Vie en Rose” This film is a gender-bending movie involving a boy who believes he will grow up to be a girl. Therefore, the film mainly is about classification of sexuality and gender, which raises the question whether sexuality is socially constructed or innate. Taking cognizant of the above, the objective is to analyze the representation of gender in the film, in relation to the different representations portrayed in the film, as well as the impact of the representations on society; in addition, I will also seeks to reveal how the language used in it depict gender representation. Gender representation in film takes many forms to the extent of having children portrayed on the films to show the state of confusion that occurs between different genders and the troubles they have to overcome in order to come to terms with their state of being. This is especially for people grappling with issue of identity crisis into which gender they belong and how they should behave and relate to their situations. As such, gender in this text is depicted as a state of conflict and as an entity with which one has to identify and belong devoid of one’s opinion lest it lead to confusion. The film generates a clear image of the troubles people go through and assists them in creating a sense of belonging in relation to assisting them cope with their situations. This is especially so in the case of drawing lines between the different genders and bringing out an expressionist side to the whole issue of gender in film and its relation to real life situations (Greven, 2009). In addition, the film highlights the aspects of the film director in question to draw and form a background from which the reader can build up information in order to evaluate deeper into the film and analyze its different aspect. This is in particular to those topics that relate to gender identity and roles, as well as the different misconceptions that the audience may have in real life situations regarding their state of confusion in gender issues. Furthermore, the Language used in this film is one that is likely to draw its audience deeper into the pertinent gender issues at hand that pertain to the film in review, as it offers a form of middle ground between the positive and negative aspects of gender issues. This is particularly in providing an opportunity for the viewer to associate his or her own life experiences with the film, this is Evidence to support this lies in the depiction of the opening scene, where the main character, 7-year-old Ludovic, who is a boy walks in dressed fully as a girl (Riding, 1997). The language used to highlight this is devoid of any form of ridicule that would be evident in other films offering opinion on the film and the reversal of gender roles, as well as the state of confusion in the boy’s state of identity in relation to what gender he belongs (Zucker and Bradley, 2005). The further highlight and attention paid to the reaction of adults with a subtle sense of neutrality towards Ludovic by the author shows genuine concern in that a sense of confusion is to be expected and that it is natural. This is especially so with the depiction of the state of seriousness that Ludovic expresses after the adults laugh. This shows a profound sense of confusion in gender roles and who is expected to do what in society, especially when it comes to dress codes and a strict following of social norms. With this in mind, the film’s language does not bear negativity, but instead offers a form of understanding in that film should act as a place through which gender problems in society can be aired. The film goes ahead to indicate that which happens in life, where representation of gender in film is brought out as one in which social norms pertaining to gender must be followed and carried out in every aspect of film. Evidence supporting this can be found in the part where the film describes the events surrounding Ludovic’s confusion in that he would like to turn into a girl, in which case he goes further to pick Jerome as his future husband, and Jerome's father becomes annoyed. This part indicates that film captures gender expectations in relation to unconventional conduct of characters found therein, and that it has little tolerance for contraventions, where society shows prejudicial reactions (Lehavot and Alan, 2007). Gender representation in film only focuses on societal norms, which govern sex roles and have little tolerance for confusion in one’s orientation in relation to sex, especially when one identifies with the sex from which he or she is not such as being either male or female, whereas in reality one is of the exact opposite sex. To support, this representation, Ludovic's parent, Hanna, takes Ludovic to a child psychologist, which serves to show the need for a speedy resolution for Ludovic's confusion and violation of gender roles. It is because of this that the film proves profound lack of tolerance for gender role violation in film and society, especially due to the attempts to correct the situation in the film, despite it not being a real life depiction of actual events, but imaginary ones. The situation is further expounded by the lack of tolerance by other parents towards Ludovic towards his confusion in his sense of identity in relation to his gender roles and where he belongs. This is because it shows parents petitioning successfully for his expulsion, leading even to further problems for his father. This is a clear indication that gender in film represents social standards of low tolerance, and a strict following of what is considered conventional as even the entire family is sent out of the neighborhood (Caron, 1997). Other than this, the film is bound to affect the society in that its representation of gender in film depicts social standards that are rigidly adhered to, and that cannot be easily broken. This is especially with the child, Ludovic, being expelled from school, in spite of being of being child (Riding, 1997). This brings to society even more force in enforcing its norms in relation to preventing corruption of social morals and norms as pertaining to cross dressing and being understanding as to why a person would engage in such activities. However, it may also affect the society in that it shows a sense of understanding towards those experiencing these feelings of confusion in that they can sympathize, but at the risk of being cast out of society (Cruz-Camara, 2010). Another impact on men and women lies in the film’s background information on how the film came into being in the first place. As such, it is bound to influence behavior by creating room for expression of one’s inner feelings and how gender roles have been misunderstood and taken to be rigid fixtures in society, whereas they are not. The film lifts this perception in that it depicts the real life events of the scriptwriter showing the availability of a platform through which men and women can air their problem pertaining gender issues such as through film. This is because the original scriptwriter uses Ludovic’s character to bring the story of her life into life, showing how gender is represented in film. In addition, the film seeks to influence society through creating a sense of identity in which every member of society can identify with the different characters, which means that no single member of society is left out in relation to gender identity as it shows the presence and nature of identity crisis. As such, it shows that in all fairness, it is natural, and that it is up to the people to find out which side they belong in relation to gender roles and their sexual identity. In relation to this, every member of society does not have to follow that which film portrays but has a choice between common ground that is followed by everybody and that he or she deems fit and worth to be followed and stood for in relation to gender. This can be seen in the choice made by Ludovic’s grandmother in choosing to be by his side at all times and the family that also stands by him to oppose society. In conclusion, the representation of gender in film stands for many things, where it depicts different ways through which affects society and how gender and society interact in relation to film. An analysis and evaluation of the film dissects impacts and language use, as well as the role of film in bringing out social beliefs, and how these social beliefs are portrayed in film, as well as their consequences. Altogether, gender roles in film as per Ma Vie en Rose is an arbitral issue as per society, as well as a personal choice based on individual decisions in believing and following it. References Lehavot, K., and Alan J.L. (2007). "Toward A Greater Understanding Of Antigay Prejudice: On The Role Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Role Violation." Basic & Applied Social Psychology 29.3: 279-292. Caron, S. L., and D. Bruce Carter. (1997). "The Relationships Among Sex Role Orientation, Egalitarianism, Attitudes Toward Sexuality, And Attitudes Toward Violence Against Women." Journal Of Social Psychology 137.5: 568-587. Cruz-Camara, N. (2010). CROSS-DRESSING AND LESBIAN REPRESENTATION IN BELLE EPOQUE BY FERNANDO TRUEBA. Romance Notes, 50(3), 287-293. Greven, D. (2009)."Cruising, Hysteria, Knowledge: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)." European Journal Of American Culture 28.3: 225-244. Riding, A. 1997. FILM; A Gender-Bending Movie With a Message for All. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/movies/film-a-gender-bending-movie-with-a-message-for-all.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm Zucker, K. and Bradley, S. (2005). Gender Identity and Psychosexual Disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing, Vol. III, No. 4 pp 813–835. Read More