The Male Gaze- music video task

Analysis of the video for:

Shakira - Can't Remember to Forget You ft. Rihanna

Throughtout the video there are many parts which have connotations with sex and intimacy.

At the beginning of the video, Shakira is shown sitting on a bed wearing a see-through jumper which is hanging down to show her bra and breast. She is being playful, moving about and touching her upper legs.These movements put together with the bed and little clothing has connotations with sex. 

Around 34 seconds into the video Shakira is shown sitting on a different bed like piece of furniture, wearing a very revealing strappy black leotard. A couple seconds after she is shown lying down on the bed, moving about erotically. 

She is then shown in a swimming pool in a different revealing, skin coloured costume. At first it seems as though she hasn't got any clothes on, but later the swimming costume is shown. In this scene she is seen as being very playful and she is splashing the water towards the camera which could have connotations with sex again. 

At around 1:03 Rihanna is shown walking backwards away from the camera. She is wearing what looks like an elegant black dress. However the audience realise seconds after that she is also wearing a leotard. She is shown leaning on a wall while singing and slowly moving slightly. She is shown tilting her head back, closing her eyes and opening her mouth which all have connotations with sex and intimacy. 

Shakira and Rihanna are then shown lying on the same bed together, smoking a cigar. This could be seen as sexual and would have connotations with sex. We would make assumptions which are also sex related. 

Both Shakira and Rihanna are then shown hitting a wall with both hands, aggressively. They then both show off their body by beinding over or 'twerking'. The camera then cuts off their upper body and lower legs, to show their hips moving and their behind. This is portrayed in a very sexual way.

Both are then shown slowing dropping to the floor. Shakira is shown on the floor with her legs apart which we can clearly connote with sex and intimacy. They are both shown whipping their head and hair back which again is done in a sexual way. While Shakira does this she has her mouth slightly open with has connotations with sex and orgasms. In this scene they are both wearing revealing outfits. Rihanna is wearing a black, see-through leotard, which could be seen as being like lingerie. She also has red lipstick on (as well as throughout the whole video) which could be for sexiness. Shakira is wearing a red dress which has a pattern that is done to look as though part of dress is see-through. This could also be for sexiness as the combination of red and skin would have connotations with sex.

At about 2:13 they are shown on the bed together again. The camera is focused on Shakira as she is singing. She is shown leaning forward which could be seen as being sexy. She then rolls over onto her back to join Rihanna who is lying on her side which draws attentions to her behind again. This scene is very sexual, the combination of the setting, outfits and body language all allow the audience to connote this scene with intimacy. 

Rihanna then starts to move and sits up in a way that her behind is pointing in the cameras direction, while she is in a thong like leotard. She then sits running her fingers through her hair which is seen as being sexual. She lays back down next to Shakira, then both begin to slowly touch each others upper leg and behind, while looking into each others eyes. This is very sexual and would represent pleasure. 

Shakira is then shown playing the guitar and drums. This part of the video is the least sexual, however she is still in a revealing black lace outfit and is standing in water. The lighting is mainly red which has connotations with sex. This demonstrates how this scene has still been portrayed in a sexual way. 

At about 2:46 Shakira and Rihanna are shown holding each other while they are naked or wearing very little clothes, which we as an audience can't see. This is probably meant to be sexy and intimate, which would attract the male audience more. While they are like this, they are both looking into the camera which makes it seem more personal and as if they are singing the lyrics to the viewers. This is very sexual and would have connotations with intimacy again. They both look very serious but sexual with the facial expressions that they are pulling, this would all add to the connotations with sex and intimacy. 

For the rest of the video, little snippets of different scenes are shown. For example both are shown laying on the bed together again, while moving around sexually. Also Shakira is shown playing the guitar and drums still while splashing in the water too. This is very playful and we could connote this with sex. We are shown them both holding each other topless again, while singing and moving their heads slowly to increase sexiness. These scenes are quickly repeated showing the audience quick glimses of different scenes which are all sexual and could represent or have connotations with intimacy.