Media studies - Genre

Preperation for exams

Daniel Chandler

Genre helps audiences interpret films as cultural texts that reveal underlying social truths.

(Michel Foucault – discourse on madness)

society defines what is “sane” or “insane” → PT reveals how power marginalises those deemed abnormal.

Theory (George Gerbner – cultivation theory):

• Heavy, long-term exposure to media (especially TV/film) gradually shapes and “cultivates” audiences’ perceptions of reality.

Theory (Laura Mulvey – male gaze):

mainstream cinema positions women as objects of male pleasure

Theory (Stuart Hall – representation theory):

• Media doesn’t just reflect reality; it actively constructs reality through representation.

Gone Girl - Amy - societal pressure on women to perform gender ideals → female “madness” as rebellion.

“Cool girl isn’t real. Cool girl is a lie”

Joker - Arthur’s journal - neglect of vulnerable.

“The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.”

SOTL - Hannibal - fascination with intelligence + madness

“I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”

Joker - Arthur - victim status blurs into violent Joker persona

“For my whole life, I didn’t know if I even really existed. But I do, and people are starting to notice.”

Gone Girl - Costume -visual duality of angelic victim vs brutal manipulator.

Amy returning in blood-soaked white dress

Hannibal - reduces her deeply personal pain to a transactional deal.

“Quid pro quo, Clarice.”

Gone Girl - marriage/home as trap, performance of image.

“We were the happiest couple in America. What’s the point of being together if you’re not the happiest?”

Hannibal - psychological invasion of her past; Basement scene

“You’re not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you, Clarice?”