Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple's "Criminal" is a subversive statement on agency and the male gaze that was famously misinterpreted upon its release. Directed by Mark Romanek, the video's voyeuristic, "dirty realist" style was controversial, with many accusing it of exploitation. However, Apple's stated intent was to take control of her own sexualization, pushing it to an uncomfortable extreme to comment on the industry itself. The "crime" of the song is the guilt of self-exposure, and the video's direct, confessional tone makes the viewer complicit in the act of watching. It’s a powerful piece of filmmaking that remains incredibly relevant in discussions about female representation in media.