Representation Blog Post

G.I Jane

Representation is the way that media creators choose to portray reality or aspects of reality. This can shown through race, gender, communities, sexuality, and events. G.I Jane is a film that focuses on the representation of a large gender group. Women. It highlights the inequalities that women faced in the late nineties, but also shows how women persevered through stereotypes and made a stand. Which,  ultimately changed the way our nation functions today.

G.I Jane was constructed using many quick and varied angle shots. One of the main settings of the film was the Navy Seal training camp. Jordan O'Neil would go through hours of vigorous training in harsh conditions. Quick angle shots and jumps were used to show the chaos going through her mind during the process. Many close-up shots were used throughout the film due to the military setting. Close-ups were used when Commanders were speaking or barking orders. One of the most famously known close-ups used in the film was when O'Neil shaved her hair off to prove her commitment. Using a close-up shot in this scenario allowed for a deeper connection with the audience and made for a more impactful scene.

Producers chose to include the mental and physical struggles O'neil experienced during the program. They incorporated scenes where officers showed what would happen to a woman if she were captured in a real battle, which was painful to watch. The film also made the reaction of the country clear to audiences when it was heard that a woman was attempting to complete Seal training. It was made known that having a woman partake in such grueling training was not accepted culturally.

Stereotypes played a major role in this film. At the time of production, the U.S. did not allow women to participate in combat for the U.S. military. Women were raised to be housewives and nothing more. Society as a whole decided that men were the only ones to fight and protect the country. The film disregarded those cultural norms and created a film that represented women around the country who feel empowered to serve their country and not just on the sidelines. Surprisingly, women were not able to join the Navy Seals until 2016, almost 20 years after the film was made. Gender stereotypes are a main factor in the film and accurately represent the world even in this day and age.

The movie trailer is provided to show the harsh conditions Lieutenant O'neil faced and how it motivated her to push harder despite the nation rooting against her.

https://youtu.be/5nSlJSfnkWc 

By: Katerina Valdes