Guardian 100 Homework

The guardian 100 is a list guiding you to the most dominating figures within the media today. The panellists are Andrew Zein, Christian Payne, Farah Ramzan Golant, Luke Jhonson, Oona King, Jane Martinson, Jhon Plunett, Steve Busfield, Veronica Wadley.The list above is of those who are the panellists. They’re job is to assess the candidates following a criteria of Political, Economical and Social influences.

There are 16 women in the top 100 equivalent to 16%. This clearly shows that the stereotype of male dominance still exists today as men are portrayed as most dominant according to the list. Looking at the list it seems as if society has concluded that men were most dominant and are still most dominant today, suggesting that some aspects of patriarchy still exists, regardless women having more rights. It also portrays women as being at the bottom of ranks. This is shown through the list having a niche percentage of women. Feminists would argue that women have not yet gained complete equality as patriarchy is evident through the top 100 listings. Yet in complete contradiction, according to Marxists, women have come a long way than back in the 40’s therefore equality has been achieved and just as there will always be inequality within a capitalist society, there will always be inequality between genders and representations, as men are represented as more of the “business’MEN’ type. .

The women mostly work for the BBC as Chief Executives, Directors, Controllers and Chairmen’s of the companies.

Femme Fatales

Femme Fatales.

French for “Deadly Women”

What is it?

Femme Fatales are known as being very seductive, manipulative and dangerous towards men. They are famously and most typically known for manipulating one’s mind for their own selfish and misleading intentions.

(Gilda 1946) - Rita Hayworth

Director: Charles Vidor

Writers: E.A. Ellington

Release Date: 15^th March 1946

Synopsis: The sinister boss of a South American casino finds that his right-hand man Johnny and his sensuous new wife Gilda already know each other.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000028/

What makes her a film fatale?

Her posture shown in the trailer is very upright which may connote her dangerous and deceptive nature as she takes a puff of a cigarette. The fact that she smokes also gives away her rebellious nature as she rejects the stereotypical norms and values of society during the 40’s as women did not smoke or be so confident and proud in front of men as they should typically feel timid and inferior to them during this era. Gilda is also shown slapping a man which clearly reflects on her aggressive and outrageous anger which is being projected through her character. Once again this is not something you would find a woman in the 40’s doing therefore she can clearly be referred to as a femme fatale. She also used her attractiveness to lure these vulnerable men into her trap and is also sexually objectified as she is seen dancing in the trailer and also wearing very sparkly and low necked tops to place emphasis on cleavage and tempt the other men. The mise en scene of one scene where Gilda is pushed onto the bed may also connote that she is sexually objectified as the bedroom can emphasis the superiority of the men who are able to do whatever however and whenever.

Below is the link to show Gilda’s character.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi111346457/

Kiss me Deadly (1955) – Velda

Director: Robert Aldrich

Writers: Mickey Spillaine

Release Date: 18^th May 1955

Synopsis: A doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious “great whitsitt”

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048261/

What makes her a Femme Fatale?

From the poster you are clearly able to acknowledge her superiority through her abrupt posture as she is seen as looking down at the man. This may connote her dominance and role reversal of the man’s inferiority. Similarly to Gilda, this can also be seen as going against the traditional norms and values of the 50’s as it was not common for women to be the superior one. However in complete contrast the, the man is holding her from her lower hips as her top is slowly lifted up, this connotes the fact she is seen in a sexual perspective by him as they both seduce one another for complete different reasons. The mise en scene is very dull as the backdrop is black; however the top high key lighting allows the audience to clearly see the characters faces and expressions. Velda’s face seems to have less light on it therefore could show her “dark side” or “deceptive” nature in comparison to the mans face which is very brightly lit connoting is innocence and vulnerability.