The image of women and models of masculinity in the cinema of Mariano Ozores (1982-1996)

Abstract

This article analyzes, from a gender perspective, the highest-grossing film comedies directed by the Spanish filmmaker Mariano Ozores during the first Spanish socialist governments (1982-1996). Based on referents from feminist theory and gender and cinema studies, this paper examines models of masculinities and femininities of the time, deepening in aspects such as the representation and trivialization of gender violence, the search for comedy through sexual violence and the ridicule of homosexuality, which, in addition, impose a single model of masculinity based on machismo and hegemonic heteronormativity. This approach delves into the mechanisms used –plots, subplots and other elements of a script– to strengthen aspects such as the invisibility, the objectifying of women and the disdain toward feminism, that employ an omnipresent, androcentric approach under the umbrella of the seemingly innocuous genre of comedy.