Male Female Differences Films Like

Male Female Differences

Films like Kill Bill raise important questions about the portrayal of female heroines and violence perpetrated by female characters. Because so few films do depict females in a powerful light, especially as a perpetrator of violent action, it can be especially fruitful to discover the differences between the male and female viewer reactions to such films as Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. For the purposes of this study, two males and two females were interviewed after they watched the movie. The reactions of male and female viewers proved to be remarkably similar. All four respondents perceived the violence in the movie as being "gratifying," or "exciting," and all four felt that the Bride's vengeful, bloody justice was entirely justified. Male and female respondents to the survey both indicated that strong female characters are symbolically, as well as physically, attractive. The reasons for the striking similarities among male and female responses might be related to age group and a corresponding sensitivity to violence in the media and approval of strong, violent heroines.

Females and males perceived the general violence in Kill Bill similarly. For example, when asked if they enjoyed the violence in the movie, all four respondents responded with an emphatic "yes." Helena Yip, a female respondent, was particularly enthusiastic about the female violence in the movie. "Uma was so cool in slashing those who were standing in her way!" she said. Yip saw the film more than once, because she wanted to relive the "power, the female power." The other female respondent in the survey, called Twisted Soul, said, "I find it quite violent, but I feel good!" Twisted Soul said that if the violence was not "performed by women, then I would have enjoyed it less." Male respondents seemed a little taken aback by the intensity of the female violence in the film. Jacking stated that Kill Bill was "the most violent film I had ever seen in my life," but clarified that he definitely enjoyed the action. Jacking said that the protagonist, the Bride, was "a bit crazy," but was certainly "justified." The other male respondent, TKDavid, purposely watched the film "for violence, for excitement." TKDavid was the only respondent to call Kill Bill "funny," "cheesy," and "ironic." Referring to the "blood, blood spraying everywhere," he, as all the other survey subjects, enjoyed the general violence depicted on-screen. All four subjects cited the cinematic expertise of the movie as a key reason why the violence in Kill Bill was enjoyable and not off-putting, but all four also seemed to particularly savor the novelty of female action heroes.

All four respondents said that they could think of several examples of real life heroines like those depicted in the film. Helena Yip especially underscored the presence of real life female action heroes: they are not fantasies, according to Yip. Yip in particular admired Oren, the "calmest and coolest character in the film." There were no differences in the ways males and females perceived real-life female power. Jacking, male, stated, "We know the kick-ass ladies really exist, and they are increasing." Twisted Soul, like all interview subjects, mentioned the prevalence of females in the martial arts. All subjects did acknowledge that female action heroes are less common than male ones, but at the same time, both males and females could name at least one real-life active heroine.

The most avid viewer of Tarantino's Kill Bill was, in fact, a woman. Helena Yip, who studies martial arts, saw Kill Bill twice "for the sake of reviving it." She especially appreciated "the power, the female power...that strong female characters kick ass." Yip compared the Bride to Chyna, a real life professional wrestler who has not only won championships against other women but also against other men. "She became equal with the male wrestlers...as a female I feel so gratifying," (sic). TKDavid, a male reflected Helena's values. Regarding the character Go-Go's violent behavior, TKDavid said, "as a man, I find it frightful, yet powerful." Twisted Soul, another female respondent, said regarding the Bride's violence, "I wish I had the power to be destructive and powerful, once in a while."

Males and females both felt that the Bride's vengeful actions were justified. Yip referred to the Bride's "power and fairness." She said, "If I were here, I would go crazy too and seek for a roaring rampage of revenge." All other respondents similarly expressed sympathy for the film's main character. All four noted that she was "justified" in avenging the loss of her child. Jacking stated, "If I were a woman...who lost her baby, I think I would be very sad and then went berserk," (sic). TKDavid placed the Bride's actions in a broader social context, stating that it "can also be interpreted as a way for a female hero to obtain justice when the society cannot provide her any." Twisted Soul, female, stated, "I suppose this rage is somehow the fuel of females who are good at martial arts."