Analyse How Gender is Represented in an Extract of Prime Suspect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuJt7mF_Jzo (first 5 minutes) 


Men are presented as thinking themselves superior to women in this extract to the extent that Helen Mirren's character feels pressured to be like a man. A man who is superior to her describes her by stating, "She's got balls." This shows that, as a woman, she is expected to be masculine in order to do her job. This is also shown by Mirren's short hair-cut, presenting her as more masculine. Although Prime Suspect appears to support the view of equality between men and women, it is clear that Helen Mirren's character feels inferior to her male colleagues. 


In the first scene Helen Mirren is being interviewed by a man. He is shown first in a close-up, indicating that he is important. He speaks first and is therefore leading the dialogue. The man and woman are never in the same frame. Over-shoulder angles and close-ups are used to show that both characters are of equal importance despite how it may seem to the characters, and also to separate them and therefore show the segregation between men and women. Mirren looks down to the floor when the man is talking sternly to her, this shows that she is less powerful than him. She is dressed slightly more informally in white, there the men are all in black suits, matching the dark, sensible decorating. This connotes that the men all belong in this work place where the woman does not.


After Helen Mirren has theft there is 1 wide-angle shot of the man at this desk with an empty chair opposite to show that he does not need her; her absence is welcome. Also as she leaves there is a close-up of the "Commander" sign on the man's door, undermining Mirren's authority and importance. However she is higher in the frame than the sign, therefore indicating that she is more important and associating her with a higher position.


Later this scene is paralleled by an interview between 2 men, the original man and a man superior to him. The 2 men are shown as equal, sitting across from each other in a wide-angle shot. Both men belong in this profession as both are wearing black suits and match the aforementioned environment. Many of the shots and angles used in this scene show both men in the same frame, signifying that they are equal, less close-ups are used for the same reason. Neither of the men ever mention Mirren's character's name, she is always referred to as "her". This undermines her as she is not considered a person, only a female. When "female murder squad officer" is mentioned there is a close-up of the first man to show his discomfort at this prospect.


When this prospect is mentioned to the other staff the office is panned slowly. This denotes the male dominance in this occupation as only men are present. Women are not accepted. In this scene all the men laugh at the thought of a woman being superior to them. Although this undermines Helen Mirren's character, the men have to be addressed like children which almost ridicules them.


Helen Mirren's character is presented as much more empathetic and human. There is a close-up of Mirren followed by a close-up of the Victim's photograph. Mirren's expression is slightly pained, this shows an emotional connection. This shot also compares the victim to her as they are both women, possibly showing Mirren as weak. However when talking to a woman, Mirren is more relaxed and in control. 


There are more 2 shots when Mirren is talking to a woman, showing them as equal, just as with the 2 men in an interview. Mirren is, however higher in the frame, so she is more powerful than the other woman. This may be because she is thought to have a man's job, and in this scenario authority comes hand in hand with masculinity. 


There are many tracking shots of Helen Mirren's character, indicating that she is important as the main character, who the TV drama follows. When leaving the Commander's office a second time, a tracking shot is used. As this angle the "Commander" sign is even lower compared to her than in the first scene. She is very sensible until she celebrates to herself while walking. Although this depicts her as less sensible and dignified than the men, where the men's desks are empty and under-used, hers is full and she is clearly immersed in her work, denoting she is more intelligent and therefore superior. 


No non-diegetic sound is used in this extract. This brings an element of realism to Prime Suspect, denoting that the program was produced knowing that women are thought of as inferior, and raising this as a very real issue.