An Analysis of Gender Issues in Cinematic Texts from a Spatial Perspective

This paper studies gender issues in film works from a space-time perspective. It is a conceptual and textual study that does not collect new data, samples, surveys or statistics; thus, it is not empirical. Based on the theories of space and feminist film criticism, this paper believes that cinematic space is an organised system of access, visibility, mobility, labour, safety and belonging, and is therefore not neutral. In terms of mise-en-scène, framing, editing, sound and narrative movement, different spaces can be presented for gendered characters through various shots, angles and movements in domestic interiors, streets, workplaces, thresholds, vehicles, landscapes and viewing positions. The selected films are only case studies and do not provide evidence for the generalisations of women, men, and audiences. Race, class, sexuality, and other differences in the body should not be reduced to a single concept of "gender". Spatial analysis can also be employed to reveal the reproduction of gender hierarchy and the cinematic reorganisation of agency, intimacy, spectatorship and public presence.