Sexuality Essay

Throughout the extract given it is clear to see that the use of camera shots angles and movements as well as sound, editing and mise-en-scene have been used to demonstrate sexuality. Barthes Narrative codes are also represented.

Sexuality is given as a contributing factor to the choices of many of the camera shots, angles and movements. Particularly shown during a slow zoom in shot of the female character, demonstrating the male gaze coined by feminist Laura Mulvey. This adheres to the stereotypes of female sexuality. Particularly that women are represented with the attitudes of the male in mind. Sexuality is also represented through the view of the intimidating homosexual man. This can be seen best through the use of a close up of the man’s face showing him to be relatively intimidated by the attractive female character’s sexuality as she sits very proud of herself and of her sexuality. Sexuality, especially homosexuality is represented throughout the clip as uncomfortable. Shown majorly by numerous reaction shots of uncomfortable faces as well as a shocked face when the homosexual man whispers into the detective’s ear. An action code is used in this scene as it depicts the all of the men fighting, showing that all of them are uncomfortable with the way that their sexuality has been represented, so release this frustration upon each other in the form of violence.

Naturally, throughout the extract mise-en-scene is also a recurring force behind the representations of sexuality through the clothing, props and sets. This can be reflected through the female character, as when she is first revealed she is wearing a flattering dress to possibly attract male attention in order to make it clear of her sexuality. The men who appear to be homosexual or are portrayed as homosexual are depicted as smartly dressed men in shirts. Particularly shown through the intimidating homosexual man and his smaller boyfriend. This represents the homosexual community as being really definitive in their appearance taking close care of their look and the way that they are represented in order to be taken seriously. Sexuality can also be reflected through the clothing by demonstrating different character types, such as the detectives wearing turtlenecks and having bears, the females wearing revealing dresses and the homosexuals wearing smart shirts.

The editing depicted in the clip represents sexuality throughout. This can be particularly seen through its use of jump cuts constantly to different places. One-minute female dancers will be on screen, then the homosexual boyfriends will be shown talking, then jumping back to the female character. This represents sexuality for what it really is, unpredictable. The shot will perhaps linger on for too long on the female character reflecting the male gaze. As well quickly cutting from a shot of the boyfriends to a reaction of people who think that homosexuality is wrong.

Sound can also be depicted as a contributing factor of how sexuality can be depicted in the clip. This is inferred through the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound.  Specifically, non-diegetic as this is used to add tension to the scene in which the homosexual man attempts to intimidate the female character using his bravado as a shield in which to defend his sexuality whilst the whole time being rude to the female who is also proud of her sexuality.  This makes the scene intense as the sound is heard over the regular diegetic sound of the club and the conversation making the scene appear more tense.

Overall it is clear to see that sexuality can be reflected through the use of editing sound, camera shots, angles and movements as well as mise-en-scene.