Title: Dude
Released: 2017
Directed by: Olivia Milch
Access on: Netflix
Netflix summary: Four best friends navigate loss and major life changes — and smoke a lot of weed — during their last two weeks of high school.
Gaze Theory: This film is the perfect example of sexualization and objectification of young women. The main character, Lily, is extremely sexualized throughout the film. She is depicted as promiscuous and a sexual being. In one scene of the movie, Lily is shown completely nude and having sex with a male character. The audience is shown close ups of her breasts and naked body; some shots not including her face at all. However, the male character is only shirtless and we barely see his body. In addition, she is looking away from the camera inviting the audience to look at her naked body. This scene specifically is a perfect example of Gaze theory and films being made for the male gaze.
Goffmanian Analysis: In addition to utilizing Gaze theory, the film also depicts many feminine stereotypes. Each of the four main female characters have some sort of love interest in the film. The end of the film they all end up with the man that they had been infatuated with which insinuates that their goal was complete once they had male attention. The sex scene also depicts feminine touch as Lily is scene feeling her own body and gently touching her partner. The audience also sees how small she is in comparison to the men she sleeps with. The men are always on top of her as well which illustrates ritualization of subordination. As stated previously, she also looks away in this scene to invite the audience to look at which is licensed withdrawal. In one way the film goes against stereotypes when Lily is depicted as the leader of the student council and is telling the male characters what to do.
Effect: I found this film to be disgusting. These characters are meant to be high school students but are depicted as extremely sexual. This has an effect on teenage girls, the target audience of the film, by showing them that this is how women are supposed to behave. In addition, the film has a scene where Lily is raped by a jock from her high school. The film completely ignores how problematic this is. There is no case made against him, there are no consequences for him. The film makes it seem as if rape is normal and is something to just move on from. Despite experiencing such a traumatic event, Lily moves on with her life and is fine once she finds love. This is an extremely inaccurate representation and tells teenage girls that rape is okay. In addition, the film sexualized and objectified the main character Lily which can be harmful to young women. Rebecca, another female character, has a love interest who is also her high school teacher. In multiple scenes they are seen flirting. Although this is meant to be a funny aspect of the film, it is pedophilia and reiterates the idea that young girls are sex objects. This depiction tells teenage girls that being pursued by an older man is normal and okay and specifically by someone in a position of authority. The film makes womanhood seem like sex and love are the most important aspects of a woman’s life.
Shared by: Olivia Smidel
Image Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIBQaDlR0tA