Women Objectification, Male Gaze and Scopophilia in Fifth Generation Chinese Cinema: A Qualitative Analysis of Raise the Red Lantern (1991) and I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016)

Through applying Laura Mulveys male gaze theory, this research paper analyzes two films directed by Fifth Generation Chinese directors by textual analysis: Raise the Red Lantern (1991) directed by Zhang Yimou, and I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016) directed by Feng Xiaogang. Besides, this paper will attempt to fill the research gap regarding fetishistic scopophilia, through offering new interpretations of symbolism and erotic signifiers. Moreover, this research paper discusses the controversy regarding the nature of the male gazewhether the male gaze can function as a demonstrative approach to convey the directors social criticisms or the accomplice of patriarchal oppression.