can't remember to forget you
shakira ft. rihanna
the music video to 'can't remember to forget you' by shakira featuring rihanna is a performance video - every shot involves the two singers and they are performing to their audience throughout. the video features exhibitionism and voyeurism and is a good example of the male gaze.
as the music begins, we are introduced to the main singer, shakira, and see a shot of her staring at the camera in a seductive manner. we are then introduced to the featured singer, rihanna, and see a similarly seductive shot.
the beginning of the music video stars shakira alone on a bed. here is an example of the male gaze: she pulls 'innocent' and vulnerable poses on the bed dressed in a thin, oversized sweater. there are quick-cut close-ups of several parts of shakira's body: her hands between her thighs and her top pulled off of her shoulder to expose her bra strap.
after rihanna begins to sing the camera flips between shots of shakira and shots of rihanna. in turn, they dance against the wall, shakira bellydancing, as she is famous for, and rihanna 'twerking'. The moves that they do are provocative and resemble sexual acts as they thrust their lower halves. There are then close-ups of their rears pressed against the wall. Shakira is dressed in a barely-there lace dress with only red tassels preserving her dignity and rihanna is dressed in a lace black leotard. these all adhere to the rules of the male gaze and also counts as exhibitionism as they stare at the camera as they do so.
there are a series of shots starring the singers on a bed, including some aerial shots showing them in provocative positions, including one which draws attention to shakira's legs and two which draw attention to both singers' rears. there are also a few shots of the singers smoking cigars. the juxtaposition of very feminine ladies partaking in a typically masculine activity also adheres to the male gaze. the position of the cigars in their mouths is also a very suggestive position and is a euphemism for fellatio.
finally the women partake in some actions, such as stroking each other in a suggestive manner, which attracts males due to the common male fantasy of 'girl-on-girl'.
