The concept for my creative piece will explore the themes of identity and representation. I will attempt to document the struggles a man has with his masculinity in contemporary society. By doing this I will be linking my creative piece to my essay, where I am exploring these ideas theoretically and where they exist in cinema.
My creative piece will make great use of colour. I will use often overbearing powerful colours such as bright red and dark navy as signifiers and visual motifs. These colours are used to represent masculinity in a range of ways.
The narrative of my creative piece follows a man in an ordinary office job. He is so angered, depressed and defeated by his current status in society because deep down he knows he isn't the man who he wants to be. In many ways he is leading a false life, leading him into an identity crisis. The man one day decides to rebel against what is expected of him, and what is expected of men in society in general. He realises his own need to be free from the shackles of society, because those around him will never accept him for who he is. In the end he reverts to becoming a woman. Something he always imagined himself as inside. He escapes to the seaside where he is as far away from society and the inland expectations as he possibly can be.
Below I have linked some visual inspirations from the films 'Interstellar' and '2001: A Space Odyssey'. I love the uses of overbearing colours in both of these scenes, particularly in association with the close ups.
What is Hegemonic Masculinity?
-dominant form of masculinity in our society
-culturally valued the most
-qualities include heterosexuality, whiteness, physical strength, suppression of emotions
Hegemonic: The Driver (Drive) - Nicolas Winding Refn (2011)
Traits of The Driver;
- Instinctive.
- Emotionally Unavailable.
- Physically strong.
- Brave.
- Calm and Composed in the face of danger.
- Heterosexual.
- Manual labourer.
What is Marginalised Masculinity?
-cannot fit into the hegemonic because of certain characteristics like race
-still subscribe to norms of hegemonic masculinity like physical strength and aggression
-men of colour or men with disability
Marginalised: Jake Sully (Avatar) - James Cameron (2009)
Traits of Jake Sully;
- Mentally strong
- Physically handicapped
- Self-dependent
- Down on his luck
What is Complicit Masculinity?
-man doesn’t fit characteristics of hegemonic masculinity but doesn’t challenge it
-often admires the characteristics of hegemonic masculinity
Complicit: Theodore (Her) - Spike Jonze (2014)
Traits of Theodore;
- Caring.
- Affectionate.
- Heterosexual.
- Charismatic.
- Confident.
- Lonely.
- Brooding.
What is Subordinate Masculinity?
-exhibit qualities that are the opposite of those values in hegemonic masculinity
-may exhibit physical weakness or be very expressive with emotions
-gay or effeminate men
Subordinate: George (A Single Man) - Tom Ford (2009)
Traits of George;
- Emotional.
- Vulnerable. Homosexual.
- Timid.
- Intellectual.
- Non-Manual labour.
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