Beyond the Male Gaze: A study of Female Protagonists in Amharic Cinema

Abstract

The main objectives of this article were to show how strong female protagonist and their counter male characters are constructed and to identify the gender power relationship between female and male characters are presented in two selected Amharic films. Here the two films are taken as texts and textual analysis is applied to them. This paper argues that though most directors and people in film industry are men and incline to portray women as second or inferior position however, there are some men who represent women as important as men. Having this in mind, films are chosen purposely based on three criteria: thus are films that have a strong female protagonist; content that raises gender issues and directors’ gender i.e. male. The films are Semayawi (Heavenly) (2020) by Bereket Tesahle and Anlakekim (I will not leave you alone) (2014) by Solomon Muhie. The films were analyzed using feminist film (male gaze) and poststructuralist (deconstruction) theories as frameworks. The findings of the analysis showed us women in the two films were professional journalist and lieutenant. Because women in the films are professional, they are not the object of male desire rather they are the subject of the story. They are goal-oriented, knowledgeable, powerful, and successful in the storyline. On the contrary, male characters tried their best to get what they want but were unable to be successful on their own. They found what they want with the help of female characters. Therefore, the selected Amharic films show a positive change in the portrayal of women beyond the male gaze.