Women's Stereotypes in Kurdish Film ( Experience Film for Example(

Abstract

This study attempts to conduct a critical in-depth reading of the representation of female stereotypes in Kurdish cinema based on the fundamental principles of Feminist Film Theory, specifically referencing Laura Mulvey’s concept of the "Male Gaze." The primary objective is to analyze how these portrayals influence audience perception and reinforce patriarchal ideologies within the culture. To achieve this, the study adopts the Content Analysis method, utilizing a specifically designed coding scheme to analyze the Kurdish feature film "The Exam" (Ezmûn - 2021) by Shawkat Amin Korki. The analysis focuses on three main categories: content (narrative and themes), form (cinematic techniques such as camera angles, lighting, and sound), and the overall objective of the representation.

The quantitative findings of the study reveal that Kurdish cinema remains significantly influenced by traditional stereotypes. The data indicates that 76.64% of female depictions in the film follow a "negative" trend, portraying women primarily as victims, weak, dependent, or oppressed. Furthermore, over 80% of the female characters are shown as "passive" rather than active agents in driving the plot, confirming the feminist theory that women are often viewed as "objects" rather than "subjects." Technically, the complete absence (0%) of Low Angle shots—which typically signify power and authority—along with the dominance of static shots, visually confines women within a powerless framework. Additionally, women are depicted as silent in nearly 30% of their screen time, symbolizing the suppression of the female voice in the public sphere. The study concludes that while the film avoids the sexual objectification of women's bodies, it ultimately fails to establish a "Female Gaze," leaving women trapped within the stereotype of the eternal victim of patriarchal society and tradition.