Male Gaze, Female Body, and Gender Representation in Sri Lankan Antiwar Films: An Audience Analysis

This research article explores how viewers make sense of the gender roles depicted in three selected anti-war films: This is My Moon, Shades of Ash, and The Forsaken Land. Despite criticisms regarding the objectification of women in these films, this analysis reveals a complex interplay between gendered experience, educational background, socio-political, and cultural contexts influencing audience perceptions. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with film industry stakeholders and diverse audience members, the findings indicate that female viewers articulate a more nuanced understanding of stereotypical representations than their male counterparts. The study highlights the influence of patriarchal constructs on audience readings, suggesting that cultural norms and educational backgrounds significantly shape interpretations of gender roles. This research contributes to the discourse on gender representation in postcolonial cinema, emphasising the need for critical engagement with media portrayals of women in war-torn societies.