The radical notion that women like good movies
Why is female sexuality so controversial? Why does it make people (particularly the people who create our media) so uncomfortable? With desire comes subjectivity, which is powerful and subversive for a woman to experience within the context of patriarchy. Regulation of female reproductive rights and rape culture are two techniques used to deny women sexual agency.
Working-class female protagonists remain rare, however. More often than not, working-class women play supporting roles as mothers, wives or lovers. Their characters are invariably underwritten or stereotypical.
It is, also, of course, essential that we see female characters make their own way in professions traditionally monopolized by men. They reflect social change as well as inspire. It is equally essential that women of power are portrayed on the big and small screen with greater frequency as well as with a greater degree of complexity. American films and television programs should not, however, block out the lives of working-class and poor women. So many stories, struggles, journeys and adventures, remain unacknowledged and untold. It is a strange and troubling thought that contemporary American audiences are simply unaccustomed to seeing interesting, strong and resourceful working-class women. Whether ordinary or extraordinary, working-class women of all races and backgrounds, need greater representation.
… Kang seems to be a strong advocate for feminism in film. Though South Korea cinema (and the country as a whole) clearly needs far more women in off-screen positions of power, Sunny seems like a small but hopeful step towards equality, and may well inspire girls in today’s high school cliques to one day demand those positions.
# 50/50 5 Broken Cameras 500 Days of Summer 45 Years The 40-Year-Old Virgin 4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days 9 to 5 1971 101 Dalmations 127 Hours 10 Days in a Madhouse 10,000 km 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets 300: Rise of an Empire 12 Years a Slave 28 Days Later A Abuse … Continue reading “Film Directory”
Glee poster, Season 3 This is a guest review by Erin Tatum. It’s no secret that Glee is offensive to pretty much anyone who isn’t an able white male. While Glee has justifiably received a lot of flak for its treatment of certain communities – notable examples include Brittany breaking up with Santana only to … Continue reading “Disabilities Week: ‘Glee’s Not So Gleeful Representation of Disabled Women”
Did you miss these popular posts on Bitch Flicks? If so, here’s your chance to catch up. “Is Pepper Potts No Longer the ‘Damsel in Distress’ in Iron Man 3?” by Megan Kearns “Does Uhura’s Empowerment Negate Sexism in Star Trek Into Darkness?” by Megan Kearns “Star Trek Into Darkness: Where Are the Women?” by … Continue reading “The Ten Most-Read Posts from May 2013”
Did you miss these popular posts on Bitch Flicks? If so, here’s your chance to catch up. “Stoker: The Creepiest Coming-of-Age Tale I’ve Ever Seen” by Stephanie Rogers “Shut Up and Sing: The Dixie Chicks Controversy Ten Years Later” by Kerri French “Clueless: Way Existential” by Robin Hitchcock “Female Empowerment, a Critique of Patriarchy … Is … Continue reading “The Ten Most-Read Posts from March 2013”
The Vampire Lovers | L-R: Carmilla (Ingrid Pitts) and Laura (Pippa Steel) Guest post written by Lauren Chance. It is a truth universally acknowledged that any fandom, genre or medium must be in want of some lesbians and lo, the so-called ‘lesbian vampire’ genre that exists as a subsidiary to the vampire mythology is here … Continue reading “Horror Week 2012: The Failure of the Male Gaze in ‘The Vampire Lovers’”
Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Guest post written by Jennifer M. Santos. “It’s a relief to hear papers that don’t go on about feminism.” Such was Patricia Pender’s report on the mood of attendees at the second Slayage Conference in 2006, just three years after Buffy ended (5). Pender punctuated … Continue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Week: The View from the Grave: Buffy as Gothic Feminist”
This cross-post by Tami Winfrey Harris previously appeared at Fangs For The Fantasy and What Tami Said. Vampire Pam saying, “He can do it; I’m wearing my favorite pumps.” How much gender fail and homophobia can one pack into a brief online essay? Screenwriter Brian McGreevy takes a break from doing keg stands at … Continue reading “‘Mad Men’ Week: Hey, Brian McGreevy: Vampire Pam Beats Don Draper Any Day”
