AN INTERSECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF WOMEN IN FILM

THESIS STATEMENT

Women in the film industry are often portrayed as objects of male desire through the objectification of women’s bodies and hyper-sexualized images. Using an intersectional framework and Laura Mulvey’s theory of “the male gaze”, I argue that the normalization of the male gaze in cinema promotes harmful social standards (expectations) for women, including non-realistic body expectations and beauty standards and the pressure to behave for men’s pleasure or validation. Women who fall into additional categories of marginalization (e.g., Black, trans, disabled, etc. women) face further challenges in the film industry due to their intersections of marginalized identities. I will further explain where these harmful images of women come from, how they affect women, and what society can do to move beyond these harmful representations.

Next sections should go over:

How did this start / why does it exist? (Mulvey) – Provide context using examples from films like the example below (Example that you work in at some point and elaborate on) Black women in film are often portrayed as being strong, having to balance a lot (e.g., family and work obligations) while also facing the same gendered issues of hyper-sexualization and objectification. Elaborate on other racialized groups.
The effects that these representations may have on women (remember to back up any claims with evidence from research)
Where can we go from here? What possibilities can you imagine when it comes to the future of women in film? Can you think of any examples that are positive that we should look to for making better movies about women?
Conclusion

RELATED COURSE READINGS:

Mulvey. (2013). Visual pleasure and narrative cinema. In Feminism and Film Theory (pp. 57–68). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203699362

Easthope. (1993). Afterthoughts on “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” inspired by King Vidor’s Duel in the Sun (1946). In Contemporary Film Theory (pp. 135–144). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315844701-17

Esposito. (2021). Portrait of a Lady on Fire: A “Manifesto about the Female Gaze.” World Literature Today, 95(3), 18–20. https://doi.org/10.1353/wlt.2021.0080

OUTSIDE SOURCES(relating to intersectionality in film): AT LEAST 3 (MUST BE ACADEMIC)

Formatting Requirements:

You know the drill! Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, and 1” page margins.
Recommended length: 5 pages (see a more detailed explanation of this under the “Spelling, grammar, syntax, logic, and length” section of the grading rubric.)
Include running page numbers in the upper right header of your document
Include the final word count of the body of your essay after your final edits. The word count should include your essay word count only (i.e. should not include the title page or the references page[s])
Apply APA formatting and styling throughout including:
- A title page
- APA in-text citations throughout the body of your essay
- Word count of the essay body following the conclusion

A References page at the end of your assignment on its own sheet(s) that includes all sources you’ve cited. Remember to triple check that all in-text citations correlate to the appropriate full citation on your references page and vice-versa

Assignment Requirements:

Title page	Include: An original title for your project that will give the reader some insight into your topic or argument Your full name Your Student Number, Course Code (SOSC 1185, Section B), and tutorial number Your T.A.’s name Submission date
Introduction	Introduces your reader to your topic Includes your finalized thesis that you have refined that introduces your reader to your essay topic and primary argument. Make sure it is abundantly clear to your reader (e.g. In this essay I argue that insert thesis).
Essay Body	This section is the meat of your essay where you construct the main points you would like to communicate to your reader. The body of your essay should be organized so that you lay out any foundational materials, ideas, and or theories early on in your essay. Each new paragraph should build upon the previous one. In other words, your essay follows a logical arch. The structure of your essay develops your ideas in a way that is easy to follow. All claims have been supported with evidence from your research and include appropriate citations.
Conclusion	Conclusions can be tricky to write. The goal of the conclusion is to captivate your reader by giving them your final “elevator pitch” on your topic. Consider: what is the thing you want them to hold onto after they have finished reading? The goal of your conclusion is to: Unify the arguments/points you made in the body of the essay under a common theme Convince / persuade the reader of your argument so they leave understanding the purpose of your writing (one way you could do this is to consider the broader implications of your research topic and findings) Avoid: Repeating information from your introductionRecapping your entire essayMaking new arguments (or adding new argumentative information)
References	Your References page mustbe formatted in proper APA style (including punctuation, proper italicization, spacing, etc.) Each in-text citation correlates with a full citation on your references page and vice-versa Your references are listed in alphabetical order

Grading Breakdown:

Weight:	Type:	Description:
5%	Title Page	You have included all required details on your title page as outlined in the detailed assignment description.
5%	Essay Formatting	You have included running page numbers throughout your workYour work is appropriately formatted as per the assignment instructions
10%	Topic and Thesis	Your essay topic is well developed and refined. Your topic is related to course themes. You have written a strong and original thesis that is clearly stated in the introductory paragraph.
20%	Research Application	You have conducted a significant amount of research on your topic You have selecteda minimum of four academic sources including: three academic sources from your independent research AND at least one course reading of your choice, each related to your chosen topic and within the parameters of your thesisThe application of these sources demonstrates a strong understanding of each text and is applied sufficiently throughout your essay to back up claims
20%	Essay Body; Analysis	You have included an introduction, body, and conclusion for your essay Your essay stays on topic Your argument is well developed and logically organizedYou have demonstrated strong critical thinking skills in relation to what we have learned about sex, gender, race, disability, sexuality, etc. in relation to your topic
20% (NOTE)	Intersectional Framework	You have implemented an intersectional framework to your topic in a meaningful way (i.e., you have carried intersectionality throughout your essay and have made it clear how you have applied it to your topic. You have not just added it as an afterthought or footnote)
10%	APA Referencing	Your citations are properly formatted as per the APA style guide (including proper punctuation)You have included in-text citations appropriately throughout your work. This includes citing any supplementary sources you have used (e.g. films, YouTube videos, lecture notes, tutorial discussions, social media post, information from a webpage, etc.)
10%	Spelling, grammar, syntax, logic, and length	You have taken the time to proofread your work carefully. You have checked for proper spelling, grammar, syntax, logic, and clarity. Your essay is between 5-6 pages in length or between about 1200-1500 words. This excludes your title page and references page(s).

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