Is it true that hollywood films always reproduce stereotypical gender roles ?

Résumé du document

To discuss about the subject of the reproduction of stereotypical gender roles in Hollywood films, first of all, it is important to remember what the term "gender" means. Strictly, by definition, gender must be used to refer to females or maleness in cultural, social and linguistic context, while sex is used in the biological one. Gender is thus achieved through the process of socialization and is comprised of psychological, social and cultural components. Then this word is really applicable to the films. Masculinity and femininity are concerned, so it is a wide subject. That is the reason why this essay focuses on the reproduction of stereotypical males roles in Hollywood films.

Extraits

[...] So, this “angry white male” is a new kind of stereotypical figure. However, the protector male model does continue to exist; on the one hand Sylvester Stallone is continuously guarding his girlfriends in the (cf. filmography) series. On the other hand, Arnold Schwarzeneger saves several times the World in “Terminator” (cf. filmography), while Will Smith fights the extraterrestrial invasions in In Black” 1 and 2 (cf. filmography). Obviously “James Bond” stays best secret agent” in spite of the years It is most profitable series of films in history” American Film Institute Desk Reference, Corey/ Ochoa, The Stonesong Press, Inc p 517). [...]

[...] E., “Masculinities, Violence and Culure” (2000) Horrocks R., “Male myths and Icons: Masculinity in Popular Culture” (1995) Kellner Douglas, “Camera politica: The politics and Ideology of the Contemporary Hollywood film” (1990) Nelmes Jill, introduction to Film Studies” (1996) Shapito M. J., “Cinematic Political Thought: narrating race nation and gender” (1999) Sklar R., “City Boys: Cagney, Bogart, Garfield” (1992) Filmography Farewell to Arms” (Frank Borzage, 1932) “Armageddon” (Michael Bay, 1997) “Erin Brokovich” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999) “Gone with the wind” (Victor Fleming, 1939) James Bond another (Lee Tamahori, 2002) James Bond (Terence Young, 1962) In Black (Barry Sonnenfeld, 2002) In Black” (Barry Sonnenfeld, 1997) Doubtfire” (Chris Columbus, 1993) “Pretty Woman” (Gary Marshall, 1990) “Pulp Fiction” (Quentin Tarantino, 1994) “Reservoir (Quentin Tarantino, 1992) (John G. [...]

[...] With this background the creation of stereotypical genders is understandable. Thus, this regulation with the Hays' code compelled the film directors of Hollywood to adopt a particularly conventional way to represent males and females. Then this issue was a sterilization of gender roles in films. Since films must attract large audiences, they need to respond to audiences' dreams, fears, and social concerns. Consequently, Hollywood used the stars to talk about what people are interested in. From the beginning, popular movie stars played an important role in Hollywood cinema and became fantasy figures for idealized romance and desire. [...]

[...] On this subject, “Ronald Levant (1996) claims that this felt crisis of masculinity takes several forms: the loss of role of good family man, and its failure to replace the good provider ( ) and the patterns and dynamics of divorce” (Hatty S. E., 2000). All these society shifts are shown in films and give life to new male roles. On the contrary, (Ronald Levant) notes the emergence of the phenomenon of the “angry white (Hatty S. E., 2000) This “angry white male” takes place in gangster films. [...]

[...] Consequently, films were a central form of entertainment and an extremely popular leisure activity. In this context, a key parameter stands out. It is the institution of the Hays' code in the 1930's. For about twenty years, (from 1934, with the coming of “talking pictures”, to the early 1950's), American commercial film was subject to a rigid regulation from within the industry itself. In 1930 the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, by then known as the Hays Office, created the Motion Picture Production Code, a strict self-regulatory charter of do's and don'ts that became known as the Hays Code. [...]