REPRESENTATION OF FEMALE MASCULINITY IN THE FILM INTERCEPTOR (2022) BY MATTHEW REILLY : A SEMIOTIC STUDY

Abstract

Film, as a form of cultural representation, encapsulates societal constructs of gender, including masculinity, which transcends mere association with the male physique. This investigation seeks to delineate the denotative and connotative meanings of scenes in Interceptor (2022), directed by Matthew Reilly, that portray female masculinity, and to scrutinize how these connotative meanings influence the depiction of masculinity. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative methodology, this research employed Roland Barthes', in conjunction with Judith Halberstam's notion of female masculinity. The analysis uncovered 19 scenes that encapsulate denotative and connotative. This representation is characterized by six fundamental attributes: expertise in weaponry and combat capabilities, physical superiority, resilience and autonomy, technological adeptness and strategic leadership, defiance against patriarchal oppression, and societal validation of female heroism. These results support the assertion that masculinity is not exclusively a male characteristic but can also be manifested through female figures as a performative act that challenges traditional gender binaries in action cinema.

Keywords: Female Masculinity, Semiotics, Interceptor , Gender.