Confidence
Here is the full scene from the movie that we chose to show the viewers a recognizable character portraying the emotion we wanted to emphasize.
This scene in Beauty and the Beast gives the audience a first look at how Gaston interacts with Belle. He sees Belle as the most beautiful in the village and therefore, the only suitable mate. This is a great example of Gaston being his overly confident self to try to get what he wants.
Confidence is a self-assured emotional state often arising from a belief in one’s abilities or situational control. It influences both mental attitude and physical presence, often triggering calm, composed physiological responses rather than stress-driven reactions. Confidence enhances performance, decision-making, and social interactions by reinforcing a sense of control and competence. While levels of confidence vary between individuals and contexts, it is commonly associated with openness, groundedness, and assertiveness.
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Facial Expressions:
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Direct eye contact (indicates engagement and self-assurance).
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Relaxed forehead (absence of tension, signifying ease).
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Subtle, genuine smile (often referred to as a Duchenne smile).
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Steady gaze (demonstrating focus and calm authority).
Posture:
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Upright, open stance (chest forward, shoulders back).
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Uncrossed arms (signals openness and lack of defensiveness).
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Balanced, grounded position (feet shoulder-width apart, evenly distributed weight).
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Purposeful movements (controlled gestures that align with speech or intention).
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These body language cues fall under what researchers term “high-power body language” — expansive, open postures that not only reflect confidence but can also help induce it.
As you can see, in the photo we chose, Gaston demonstrates multiple body language points of confidence. He has a subtle, genuine smile and a steady gaze on what he is looking at. You can also see his upper body positioning; his chest is puffed up and his shoulders are back. Many of these attributes show themselves throughout the whole movie to make sure the audience views the character as highly confident and full of himself.
Sources
https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/decade-power-posing-where-do-we-stand (overview on how power posing has been refined and looked at throughout the years.)