The Representation of Masculinity
Hypothesis: "These
two independent films subvert from the idea that the more masculine the
character is the more dominant and powerful he is"
These
two independent crime dramas support each other in the idea that masculinity
does not provide power and subvert away from the tradition Hollywood have used
for many years, they also show how woman can bring down criminality through
their own power, thus showing that women are more superior. Starred up is
set in a male prison, where it is usual for a battle of egos to take
place, Starred up conforms to this however the governor is a woman and the most
powerful and violent inmate is a homosexual, these two characters subvert from
the idea that masculinity is the source to power. Trance is set in a glossy
London where a woman manipulates her way around the men in order to become
the top of the hierarchy among the criminals. This film focuses on the obsession
of women and their genitalia and how men would go to extreme depths to satisfy
woman and to show their masculinity.
In
Trance and starred up we see a controlling woman in a male dominated world. In
Trance we see Elizabeth show cards to Simon, confusing the gangsters who are
spying in, this shows how the woman (Feminine) is in charge of the men
(masculine). This is similar to starred up where the governor of a male prison
is a woman, this means all of the men must answer to the woman. This can be
seen when she allows Eric to go on anger management courses. Both films succumb
to the idea of 'The Male Crisis' where men are becoming increasingly inferior
to women due to the rise of feminism, thus meaning that masculinity is losing
its power. This is usually through better grades, better jobs and better pay.
We can see this by how the woman are dressed, this subverts from the male gaze
as they are both smartly dressed which means we cannot see them in a sexual
way, both female characters are all so center of the shot, giving them more
space in the camera lens than any of the men. This is shown through an eye
level medium shot in both films, showing that they have an equal stance among
the men, or even a higher one.
Both
films show male competitiveness and how it is a common technique used by men to
impress and attract women. In Starred up the same clip is used to show how
masculinity does not provide power. In this clip we see the men argue amongst
each other in order to impress the woman. This is similar to Trance where we
see Frank try and impress Elizabeth after sex by talking about using violence
to get revenge. This shows how men are obsessed with the female genitalia and
how they will go as far as physically abusing another man to show masculinity
and power. This shows how masculinity has become inferior to femininity as men
now look to impress and satisfy woman, almost like a boss or a farther figure.
Trance shows Elizabeth and Frank from head to toe with a medium shot, both the
‘male gaze’ and the ‘female gaze’ are used to show gender equality and how men
to can be seen in a demeaning way. Starred up uses the medium shot at eye
level, with the men pushed to the side arguing, showing that what they say is
irrelevant compared to the woman who is center giving the instructions, that
the men must follow.
Furthermore,
both films subvert from the idea that the most masculine man is the most feared
and powerful character. In Trance we see Frank and his crew being hypnotized by
Simon, the less masculine of the men, into their deepest fears. We can see that
Simon is not as masculine as the criminals as he looks well groomed and
tailored compared to the criminals, with the exception of Frank. This is
similar to Starred up where the most violent and feared inmate is openly gay
and kisses his boyfriend in front of the other inmates; he also hints that the
two also have intercourse with each other. This completely subverts from
traditions set by Hollywood, as homosexuals are usually seen as less masculine
and powerful than straight men. It is also unusual for the least threating male
character to be feared by criminals, who would be seen as more threatening and
masculine. In Trance a low level medium shot is used for us to look up at Simon
and see him how the criminals see him, with authority and power. Starred up
shows us the two men kissing in a medium mid-level shot to show us that the
homosexual act does not demasculise the character and that he should still be
seen as a threating and powerful man.
Finally,
both films show how masculinity can be easily taken away from men and be handed
to the less masculine. In Trance we see Simon shoot and kill the criminals, in
one case we see him shoot Nate in his testicles. This takes away the source of
any man’s masculinity and any type of power that supposedly comes with it; this
empowers Simon who has the capabilities to do such things. We also see Simon
use a gun, which is ironically a phallic object which is seen as a source of
power, which interns gives Simon more power and enhances his masculinity. The
use of a phallic object destroying another mans ‘manhood’ and retracting any
sought of power is symbolic of a saying ‘mines bigger than yours’. This shows
how the most powerful and masculine men can have their masculinity taken away
from them by someone who is not seen as masculine. This is similar to Starred
up where we see a group of hardened criminals take anger management classes.
During this scene we see how all of the men are wearing the same clothes, this
demasculises them as it takes away their free will and identity. These two
crucial factors are what men strive for and what makes them masculine, with
them being taken away and handed to the female governor the less masculine
character. The Starred up clip uses a rotating shot to show the steel bars
covering the windows and doors. The steel bars are phallic objects, they
represent the power the guards have and what the prisoners do not, thus showing
how the less masculine guards are now being provided the power and masculinity
that the prisoners have lost. Trance shows Nate from head to toe revealing his
vulnerability, when he is shot the camera uses a high medium shot so the
audience is looking over him; this is to show his redundancy of power.
Overall
I believe that these two independent do subvert from the idea that the more
masculine the character the more powerful he is. I believe that these films
show that the rise of feminism is apparent and it is slowly making masculinity
not inferior but weaker. These films support feminism through their characters,
by making them bosess and the winner in their outcomes. But also through the
audience by showing both the male and the female characters in vulnerable ways
and also sexualizing them
