Women on film

So, lots of ‘stuff’ recently about the absence of powerful females in industry in general, which is reflected within the sub-strata of ‘film’– behind the camera and in front in juicy roles, instead of stereotyped as a)ditsy love-interests, b) hard-nosed bitches, c)seductresses/femme fatales, or d)tank girl-type kick-arses.

So, where are all the women? I dunno about industry, but I’m pretty sure the Church is to blame! No, I’m joking – sort of. I think women have for a long time been painted as ‘home-makers’ in Western society, with the life goal of marriage and children, and the yardstick of success the partner’s income. Anyone who breaks this mould is painted as b, c or d, and children’s film and televisions still perpetuate these models.

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For example! The 2013 Jack the Giant Slayer started well, with a poor boy and a rich princess told the same story at bedtime… but then the hapless damsel had to be rescued. He surmounted his obstacles of social rank to win her hand, but she evolved from being single to finding a 'strong' partner. There are emerging exceptions, but this is still a prevalent storyline in children’s entertainment and then when ‘they’ grow up, it’s entirely what ‘they’ expect as adults.

They – a great catchall that means everything and nothing! It’s just not that surprising ‘we’ grow up expecting to watch this in mainstream entertainment. 

Perhaps it’s time to switch to children’s writing!

Anyway, thought I’d get this off my chest.