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According to Laura Mulvey, like many other authors or individuals in general believe, there exists a sexual imbalance in this world. Of course, it is evident. Men are believed, viewed to and most of the time, they really play the major role(s) in almost everything in this world. And women, most of the time since once upon a time, play the minor roles. Women have been considered the ‘second sex.’
Most films, of course, exhibit reality. Or at least, they show what is closest to reality. Therefore, this gender inequality or sexual imbalance is as well portrayed in most films, except those that uplift the female gender.
Mulvey said that women in films hold two roles as performers: first, to be viewed by the co-performer (male) and second, by the male audience.
In the movie In The Mood for Love, particular body parts of the woman (Maggie Cheung) is always being focused. These body parts are those that interest men most. The actress, like how Mulvey sees it, is being viewed by different kinds of viewers. First is the co-performer (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai). Secondly, the “audience.” The audience comprise both the movie viewers themselves and as well those who work behind the camera, like the director, set crew, etc.
Also, the female viewers, on the other hand, may view the actress as how the male viewers see her, or have a view of her in another way.
A female audience may either put herself in the position of a “male viewer” or in the position of the “female actress” as an image. A female audience may as well put herself into both positions, depending on the situation.
For example, there are scenes in the film that she could relate to. Perhaps, times like these, she would rather be in the position of the “actress”. She could easily put herself into the “image” since she somehow knows how it feels like to be in the shoes of the actress.
But, during moments in the film where there is no complications at all, and there is no need for you to dwell upon the scenes (e.g. scene where a girl is walking) and all you could do as a viewer is to solely view what you see on screen, these are the times where you can transform into JUST a viewer, staring at the woman, at her body, her movements, etc.
Also, when a female viewer cannot relate at all to what the actress is doing or portraying, this could also be the time that a female viewer could transform into only a viewer, and become part of the male audience, who plays the “bearer of the look.”
