JAO Chia-En
Father’s Tongue (2007)
http://chiaenjao.co.uk/02Works/2007Works/2007Wimg/DShow07/01.mov
Tagged
film
From Turning the Gaze Around and Orlando by Nuria Enciso
“Regarding the inability of the male figure to bear the burden of sexual objectification Shelmerdine, Orlando’s ultimate love interest and father of her child, not only bears the objectification but submits to it… Not only is Shelmerdine seen as desirable but Orlando controls the desire and thus the activity of looking… The camera lingers over Shelmerdine in a way normally reserved for women… Orlando observes and caresses Shelmerdine in a manner which is fully of her own doing and desire. At one point she sits up in the bed and stares at him- the point of view of the camera becomes an overhead, medium close-up of his face from Orlando’s perspective. He is being watched and expresses himself (slightly nervous, shifting eyes, slight blush, and finally a nervous smile) in a way typically reserved for the objectified woman. Orlando is not simply a passive character - she speaks female desire, she looks back.”
