Moulin Rouge: Gender Inequality

1214 Words3 Pages

In today’s world, men and women are perceived equally by the society. In the past, authority and control define men while women are given the characteristic of helplessness. Men are able to get hold of high positions while women usually are subservient to them. In movies, we would usually see women portray roles that are degrading due to the stereotypical notions they associate with this gender group. Moulin Rouge, a movie set during the 1900s narrates the story of a courtesan woman, Satine, as she undergoes hardships to earn money, experiences love but unfortunately, due to her irrational choices, faces tragic consequences at the end. Satine is a symbol of how women are being treated by the society during the era before post-feminism, where men have superiority over women. As the plot develops, Satine transforms from a worthless prostitute to someone who is courageous and willing to face her fears in order to attain her aspirations. Psychoanalyst theory and feminist analysis are apparent throughout the film. The male gaze, fantasy and feminism are three topics that will be covered in depth in this essay through relating it to the movie.

The scene that evidently defines Satine’s character is her performance of “Sparkling Diamonds”. During this moment, all eyes are on Satine, staring at her astonishing beauty. The female lead is now being presented to all as an object whom men desire to have and women desire to become. This scene is an adequate example of the male gaze which is “the cinema’s frequent positioning of women as objects (Ott & Mack, 2010).” This theory is manifested through the way the object, Satine, is framed by the camera lens. A better vantage point is given to the spectators by positioning her higher than everybo...

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...was before. We still see people placing women as an object to be desired and it will always proliferate if women will allow others to do so. Satine showed us an understanding of one’s own worth and it is something that we should fight for even at the expense of giving up the throne of being the fairest in the eyes others.

Works Cited

Ott, B. & Mack, R. (2010). Critical Media Studies: An Introduction. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
Snggdsyreus (2011). Moulin Rouge!--Rhythm of the Night/Sparkling Diamonds (Reprise). Retrieved December 1, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAyzC2v0DRk
Stamos, A. (2009). Moulin Rouge! Trailer. Retrieved December 1, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtEgAx80NC4
Baron, F., Brown, M., & Luhrmann, B. (Producers). Luhrmann, B (Director). (2001). Moulin Rouge. United States of America: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

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