The Female Gaze: ‘Reduced Vision’ for Natalie Portman on the Female Gaze in Cinema

While she was recently in the spotlight at the Deauville American Film Festival, Natalie Portman also graced the cover of the magazine. Vanity Fair FranceThis August 29.

The Israeli-American actor, who will soon be seen on the poster of Todd Haynes’ next feature film, had the opportunity to reflect on his life and career during a portrait shot between Paris and Cannes last May.

Especially known for her commitment to the feminist cause, as she was one of the representatives of the Time’s Up movement in 2018, after the Weinstein case and #Metoo, the actress – who also spoke about the sexualization of which she was a victim. At the age of 13, during the women’s march, he spoke about the “woman’s gaze” in particular.

The concept, which is opposed to the “male gaze” or “male gaze” born from the dominance of directors in Hollywood, aims to give more space to the female “vision” and, in fact, to female directors, whose “gaze”, especially female actors, will offer something different from their male counterparts.

But Natalie Portman argues the difference between what she says is a genre and an artistic point of view:

“Women directors should have the same opportunities as men. But the quality of collaboration depends on the individual, not the gender.”– he said Vanity Fair France.

As for the quintessentially female gaze, the man who wore a cape embroidered with the names of forgotten female directors at the recent Oscars said: “I find this view reductive. It means denying individuality and differences of opinion.”

Note that the concept of the female gaze or the female gaze, theorized by Laura Mulvey, has been the subject of many studies and articles. Recently the theorist Iris Bray which also insisted that filmmakers, both male and female, ask themselves what point of view they are taking on screen for film bodies and offer a different look. A vast and complex topic on which opinions may differ.

Next January, Natalie Portman will star in May in December, Todd Haynes’ new feature film alongside Julianne Moore. He plays an actor who tries to meet the woman he wants to play on screen and whose love life has lit up the tabloid press.

(re)discover an excerpt from the film…