Feminist representations in contemporary media: an analysis of audio-visual contents.

Abstract

With the thesis “Feminist representations in contemporary media: an analysis of audio-visual contents” I intend to inquire the development of a feminist narrative and of a feminist aesthetic in contemporary audio-visual productions. Specifically, the study consists in a neo-formalist film analysis of three selected case studies, an advertising, a documentary series and an independent film, with the addition of a critical level. The analysis is linked to theoretical concepts about the female body in relation with sexuality, gender identity, and the male gaze, to understand to what extents these audio-visuals are providing subversive representations of female characters. As a result, two videos presented similar characteristics in regards to feminist sensibility, focussing on representing diversity, while the independent movie is the only content to bring on the screen a discussion around gender identity. The findings suggest that while diversity has entered a mainstream discourse around feminism, the nature of gender is still a concept underdiscussed and dedicated to a niche audience.