Talking on oppression: A feminist exploration of female sexuality in À Nos Amours and Benim Sinemalarım through the eyes of activist women

Abstract

This study examines the portrayal of female sexuality in the films À Nos Amours (Maurice Pialat, 1983) and Benim Sinemalarım (Gülsün Karamustafa, 1990) from the perspectives of six women involved in the Turkish Women’s Defense Network, each representing diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. The aim is to explore how these two films, created during the same period and addressing themes of social and familial oppression, are perceived by organized women who possess a feminist consciousness and seek to develop independent women’s policies. A focus group interview method was employed to gather data. Findings revealed that personal narratives significantly influenced the women’s evaluations of the films. The interviewees noted that both films depicted violence and the dominance of female sexuality by male power. The study highlights the importance of challenging the male gaze to empower female sexuality and promote women’s freedom. In addition, the participants’ lack of recollection regarding liberating films about female sexuality underscores the need for an alternative cinematic approach that prioritizes diverse perspectives while avoiding representations of women rooted in the patriarchal system’s scopophilic and voyeuristic tendencies.