Marilyn Monroe's skirt moment and the male gaze in cinema
The article examines Marilyn Monroe's iconic skirt scene through the lens of upskirting, voyeurism, and gender power dynamics. It notes that upskirting became a criminal offense in Germany in 2021 and references French sex offender Dominique Pélicot, who was caught upskirting. The text traces variants of upskirting in literature, art, and film, including Marlene Dietrich's feather skirt in 'The Blue Angel' (1930), which could be blown upward. The piece argues that Monroe's image raises questions about the male gaze and sexual objectification, linking historical practices to contemporary legal and social debates.
Key facts
- Upskirting became a criminal offense in Germany in 2021.
- Dominique Pélicot was caught upskirting by police.
- Marlene Dietrich's character Lola Lola wears a feather skirt in 'The Blue Angel'.
- The film 'The Blue Angel' features Emil Jannings as Professor Rath.
- Monroe's skirt moment is described as legendary.
- The article discusses voyeurism and gender roles.
- Upskirting involves secretly looking under a woman's skirt.
- The text appears in the current issue of Der Freitag.
Entities
Artists
- Marilyn Monroe
- Marlene Dietrich
- Emil Jannings
Institutions
- Der Freitag
Locations
- Germany
- France