The Male Gaze is a term coined by the British feminist and film theorist Laura Mulvey in her work "Visual Pleasure in Narrative Cinema" in 1973. It describes the effect caused by the film industry roles being dominated by men. The theory is that by having male directors, writers and cinematographers the film work itself obtains a male perspective. Leading to cinematographers creating camera movements which highlight the female physique in a sexual manner for the visual pleasure of the assumed heterosexual audience. This also leads to writers creating narratives which follow male protagonists causing effects and furthering the plot, whereas the female characters are often used as trophy's or rewards for the male protagonist.
It is believed to be harmful to the ideology of women and many believe it has since decreased after it has been analysed and called out. However others would argue that this decision was made for the financial benefit of the producers trying to attract audiences, rather than the benefit of the welfare of women.
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