Uncovering Female Nudity in Film: Artistry or Exploitation?
Image Courtesy: Telerama
What do we truly see when a woman reveals herself on the big screen? Is it a declaration of liberation, a bold feat in body ownership, or merely a calculated way of adding shock value disguising itself as empowerment?
For centuries, the female body was something that was meant to be tucked away in shame; it certainly had no place in film. Yet, as we step into the future of filmmaking, not only do audiences eagerly anticipate the appearance of the nude female body, but they also expect and demand it. Audiences' insatiable cravings to see what lies behind the actresses' robe has resulted in a new phenomenon – actresses' contracts featuring the question, “Nudity?” on the very first page.
While the controversial topic of female nudity has long been debated, recent releases like Sam Levinson’s The Idol and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer have ignited the discussion again. This has left us with the question: Is there any way to showcase the female body with artistic integrity, or will it remain in the shadows of sexualization and exploitation?
Image Courtesy: Express
There are many factors that contribute to a scene involving nudity that can enhance its artistic value. For example, in Guillermo del Toro’s 2017 film, The Shape of Water, there are several nude scenes from the main character, Elisa, that genuinely move the plot forward and reveal important details about her. The first time she is seen naked is by herself in the tub, the next time she disrobes is in front of her love interest, the amphibian man. The portrayal of her nudity symbolizes the vulnerability she feels around her lover. Importantly, the camera doesn’t linger on specific body parts, a tool often used to appeal to the male gaze and exploit the nude character for more viewers. Instead, the nudity immerses the audience into an intense and intimate scene, infused with beauty and emotional depth.
Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
In stark contrast with the artistic nudity in The Shape of Water is this summer’s disappointing release, The Idol. The show follows a pop star named Jocelyn who is navigating stardom amidst a nervous breakdown. The Idol desperately tried to cement itself as a show going against the grain by presenting a very exposed Jocelyn, but unfortunately blended in with all the other salacious TV shows (including Sam Levinson’s other hit show) that exploit their female characters to appease sex-crazed audiences for shock value. Jocelyn’s constant nudity doesn’t give any insight into her character. Instead, it just becomes exhausting as the plot fights so hard to move forward, all while being overshadowed by bare flesh on screen.
Similarly, Oppenheimer underutilized one of the greatest actresses of our generation, Florence Pugh, by stripping her bare the entire film. Her character, Jean, had the chance to be a smart, well-spoken woman with an immense character arc, yet she was sadly reduced to a naked body, leaving a bitter taste in Nolan’s Oppenheimer. It’s disheartening when you leave the theater thinking, “What a nuanced character portrayal by Cillian Murphy for the role of Oppenheimer,” but for Florence Pugh, are just left pondering how many takes it took to capture her nude.
Image Courtesy: Polygon
The challenge with female nudity in films is that even if the filmmakers take the time to authentically create a moment of art, the audience still has the power to manipulate what is in front of them to fit their voyeuristic desires. While one may see a character, open, unveiled, released from societal pressure or psychological duress in the form of clothing, others just see their favorite actress bare naked. Filmmakers must surrender their work to the criticisms, opinions, and diverse interpretations of the audience. It is in this surrender that a beautiful moment can be perceived as exploitation.
In this age, it is challenging to distinguish whether we are truly experiencing liberation by unveiling our bodies or if we’re simply appealing to the male gaze. The question lingers: Do actresses even have a choice anymore, or are they made to feel like they have a choice? Although there have been significant strides for women in filmmaking, female nudity has been left in this ambiguous gray area, cautiously walking the fine line between artistry and exploitation.
Strike Out,
Writer: Isabella Santiago
Editor: Cristina Angee
Tallahassee