Global Feminist Film Theory

 

Global Feminist Film Theory: Beyond the Western Gaze

Introduction

Global Feminist Film Theory expands feminist criticism by including voices, perspectives, and aesthetics from the Global South. It challenges Western frameworks that often universalize women’s experiences in cinema.

Core Ideas

• Feminist film theory must account for race, culture, and geography.

• Global cinema provides alternative modes of storytelling and female agency.

• Gender representation is shaped by local traditions, politics, and economies.

Key Points

• Decolonizing Feminism: Moves beyond Eurocentric theories of the “male gaze.”

• Local Feminine Aesthetics: Emphasizes storytelling grounded in community and oral tradition.

• Activism through Cinema: Women filmmakers use film as social resistance.

Examples

• The Day I Became a Woman (2000, Iran) — portrays identity and freedom under restrictive norms.

• The Lunchbox (2013, India) — explores emotional agency and communication through everyday life.

• Wadjda (2012, Saudi Arabia) — first feature directed by a Saudi woman, focusing on female aspiration.