Sexism in Star Wars

First of all, allow me to say that I absolutely adore SW. I have nothing against this epic saga, but as a female devotee, I started pondering the fact that females are depicted as fare more sexy than the male characters. Episode II in particular is far more in line with current (rather controversial) fashions and mindsets, where both sexes are often objectified. Padmé's outfits are a good example. I was vaguely surprised at the thongs in the Coruscant club. Would anyone have enjoyed the movie less if it were not for Padmé's clothing? Would you have minded if Anakin had actually had his shirt off for more than 2 seconds in the dream scene?

I'd like both male and female opinions here: Was Attack of the Clones a movie for the fanboys?

 

Eh, partly. I remember Portman saying that George designed one of the costumes himself. I believe it was the fireplace costume, so yes, GL likes to incorporate some skin. I don't think he's gone overboard, however, and usually the clothes represent the character. In EpI, Padme wore royal dresses and never showed her skin (until the very end, when she wore a more revealing dress). In EpII, she's very laid back and, btw, is with a guy she has a crush on, so she would naturally wear something more revealing while on Naboo.

As with Anakin's chest during the dream sequence, I think that kind of shows that he's vunerable and bare, and off his guard. Or just that he likes to sleep in the nude.

Cometgreen

 

if sappy romantic stories are for the fanboys, then yeah sure it was for the fanboys.


why do you think it's so surprising to some people that there are even female star wars fans in existance? in a way it appears sexist, but if star wars were in any way different than what it is, or 'suited' more for females, i probably wouldn't be a fan.

May I remind you of obi-wan knenobi and Anakin in this movie, not to mention Mace and that oh so sexy yoda. Can we say woohoo? the first to boys have me going gaga everytime i look fondly at their posters on my wall.

And it's not just AOTC, all of the movies have a bit of sexism if you want to call it that. Need I say Slave Leia?

On the other hand, the females usually play a decidely non-female type role of kicking butt. They're made to look pretty usually, but they don't sit down in their dress clothes. They shoot the guns, they pilot the ships, they punch the bad guys too. They aren't just there to look at.

 

I always think it would have been rather amusing if during the arena battle, rather than the Nexu tearing off part of Padme's shirt (which has happened in far too many terrible B-Movies I'm embarrassed even to admit I've watched), it had torn either Anakin's or Obi-Wan's shirt! As it would be making a rather amusing joke about those sorts of silly films, and it wouldn't be something the audience was expecting. But yes, I do see your point, FireAndGold!

 

Without Padme getting injured by the Nexu, though, Nute would never have got his best scene in the film

I think Padme was very heavily clothed in TPM...and if she's going to be pregnant during Ep3 (not a given, granted) then I expect she won't be running around in a crop top either...so I think Lucas just wanted a chance to show some skin with Padme while he could.

 

Were you the one that sent me the email survey?

 

That's hardly sexism your describing. It's called objectification, that's what Padme's shirt getting ripped of is, it's making her reveal more skin and such hence it may lead to her being a sex symbol, but probably not. But this is objectifying women not sexism

 

I actually have to say I think there was pretty much equal eye-candy time on both fronts in AOTC. The chicks in the thongs were a bit much, and unnecessary - but I don't complain about the excessive skin shown in AOTC, I'll explain why.

I have no problem w/ Nat's shirt getting shredded, or her costumes. The guys got to see Natalie in all her slinky glory, and the girls got bare-chested Anakin and The SHIRT

This film signifies the absolute END of the Republic The Republic represented freedom of expression, art, and beauty. In it's place the Empire will rise and squash all beauty from the lives of those who live under the Emperor's tyrannical clutches.

Padme's costumes represent her change in character. At the beginning, she is tight-laced and nearly as covered up as she was in TPM. Her political clothing is all very opulent and gives very little real insight into Padme as being a woman. She is but an authority figure who's heavy, constrictive clothing gives her the appearance of an asexual figurehead and not a woman. Before she meets up w/ Anakin again, she has spent her life as a Queen and Senator- people (including herself) don't see her as a female, but simply as a politician. She is respected for her brains and not her looks.

She stated that she "Doesn't like the idea of hiding." However, all she does early on in the PT (TPM and first half of AOTC) is hide... she hides her femininity to the whole Galaxy, and herself. It isn't until she meets with Anakin that she discovers a part of her that was missing for so long. He makes her want to be beautiful.

The balcony dress is so wonderfully appropriate because of it's design. As I mentioned before, all of the dresses she wore before were stiff- and looked like they were worn w/ corsetts - the balcony dress has no back, she has in effect let her guard completely down.

The meadow dress is sumptuously feminine, and the fireplace scene dress is a wonderful contradiction of ideals.

1) It is feminine and revealing and sexy.

2) It is also constrictive. Everything about it shows that Padme is trying desperately to distance herself from her emotions. Complete with the heavy chains that circled her frail neck.

3) And it is black, which shows her that she seems to be willing to walk on the Dark Side of life... even if she does manage to talk herself out of doing it- temperarily.

Although she doesn't say anything on Tatooine, you can tell that after the confession scene that she has finally admitted that she's in love with Anakin. From that point, her clothes are no longer constrictive. The jumpsuit and her wedding dress are white. White symbolizes rebirth and purity. The wedding dress just falls off of her shoulders, she's not wearing constrictive and intricate undergarmets underneath.

Now, I do think that the Nexu scratching scene was designed to be a nod to the old B-flicks (and horror films ) where the woman always gets her outfit shredded and reveals skin. Unlike in those, Padme kicks butt herself and doesn't really need any male to save and protect her. Like her daughter, she's a distressing damsel, not a damsel in distress.

Was this necessary as a plot point? In some ways I think so. We get to see Padme in all of her glory as a female. We see her when she's finally been released from the prison she molded around her heart. By the end of Clones- she no longer cares about social decorum (think about her racing into Anakin's arms in the hanger w/ Obi-Wan and Yoda there watching on- when at the beginning of the film she barely acknowledged Anakin, although she was obviously intereseted.)

The interesting thing will be to see what happens again in EP 3. Most likely that free spirit who was released will have to be contained again. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

For the record... I think that the Anakin nightmare scene and the meditation scene where we get to view Anakin's very human chest and form is important in the grand scheme of the story. The meditation scene parallels Vader standing on the bridge of [i

 

Hi, PLJ!

The original poster forgot to mention the female Twileks, who always look sexy. From a certain point of view

I also agree with Grizham1 that the hints of flesh in AOTC aren't a sign of sexism, but merely objectification. Sexism requires a heavy bias toward one sex and against the other. The sexiness in AOTC seems to be pretty even-handed -- as it should be: Natalie Portman and Hayden Christiansen are both nice to look at. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

Hey Classixboy...

So here's where you've been lurking.

Oh yeah, forgot about the Twil'eks. You know, now come to think of it, there are just not enough bare-chested, good-looking men in SW (NO I do NOT count the Rancor keeper- he's a hunk- but I won't say of what.)

Luke in the bacta tank does not count either.

*Sigh*

 

Don´t forget that we get lots of Luke´s arms on Dagobah, though!

 

Excellent post, PadmeLeiaJaina!

I'll be looking at the costumes in yet another light!

 

PLJ: the Rancor keeper- he's a hunk- but I won't say of what



Nice post by the way.

Yeah, I am a total lurker these days, esp. since it's much less negative around here than it used to be.

 

Very nice post, PadmeLeiaJaina.

The very first time I saw the clip of Padme getting wounded, I was surprised and thought it was to try to create a sense of danger for her. In TPM, she never gets a scratch on her, so big bloody claw marks on her back are a real case of upping the ante.

Now, of course, this includes her losing some of her outfit...but I think the primary goal was to try to create some peril for her. I don't expect everyone to agree with this

 

I think the Rancor Keeper cancels out Yarna.

 

<Classixboy attempts to gouge out his eyes>

Yarna is the yin to the Rancor Keeper's yang.

 

Were you the one that sent me the email survey?

That's what I want to know too. Didn't your mother ever tell you that sending unsolicited e-mails isn't nice? And besides, now I've gone and ruined my perfect record by posting in a non-JCC forum. I die.

 

I thought chicks would dig get how GL loves foxy ladies in skimpy threads. It's about the lib, man.

 

There's no sexism

We see plenty of female jedi kicking but, padme kicks some butt in the arena and doesn't hesitate to take charge of a situation

GL did the padme shirt ripping the way he did because, lets face it, fact is most SW fans are guys, and no self respecting man wouldn't find Natatile Portman in that belly shirt as a nice piece of eye candy

If she said anything along the lines of, "I need a man to come save me, i'm helpless, woa is me for i am but a woman"

Then I'd agree

 

SW is very tame in this department and it also has it's share of female authority figures. Leia was the first tough heroine I ever saw.

PLJ, your analysis of Padme's costumes is just another in a long line of insightful commentaries into the Anakin/Padme romance. As always, I'm impressed. To be honest, your posts have made me appreciate the love story of ATOC whereas before I could have took it or left it. Thanks.

 

No, there is no sex in AOTC. You are all perverts.

 

Sexism isn't sex...

But there isn't any of either in SW

I don't know how we're perverts...

 

To reference an interview with Natalie Portman about George's depiction of women, Natalie explained that she liked the way George portrayed the gender. Lucas' women are emotionally strong and politically powerful. They are very dominant, yet they show some sexuality. With Padme's character in EpII, Lucas is saying its ok to be hot, and that it does not mean you're some kind of submissive airhead.

 

While it's a well known fact that GL wrote characters like Leia and Padme to be strong women, that doesn't mean they can't showcase a softer side to their personality.

Padme's costumes in TPM were very formal, and perhaps being removed from office allowed her to express herself with more colorful outfits. Yeah, the fireplace outfit was hot...doesn't mean GL and all the male fans are a bunch of drooling fanboys.

The mid-driff top in the arena was done with enough good taste...to not make it seem like the movie should be called "naboo gone wild."

 

The original poster forgot to mention the female Twileks, who always look sexy. From a certain point of view

Ditto