Representation of Women in
FilmA Basic Overview
Bechdel Test
• To pass this ‘test’ a film has to:
1. Have at least two [named] women in it2. Who talk to each other3. About something besides a man
• Can you think of any recent films that might pass this?
1940s – the femme fatale
• http://youtu.be/Gz-5wKegyOw
1950s - Marilyn
• http://youtu.be/e5_GTzZFwwI
1960s - Audrey
• http://youtu.be/buIAtvhEpFQ
1970s – getting more diverse?
1980s – from power dressing to action
to motherhood• http://youtu.be/AQBAc1qCMOc
• http://youtu.be/c4Jo8QoOTQ4
• http://youtu.be/zNE0dlHcmgA
1990s – the game changer
• http://youtu.be/PRr0HY9MPZ0
1990s – or did they change?
2000s – some ideas
• http://youtu.be/kC5L4IJoERM
2000s – some ideas
• http://youtu.be/dad4-gQfhMs
2000s – some ideas
• http://youtu.be/ot6C1ZKyiME
2000s – some ideas
• http://youtu.be/4eHOGvEr15I
2000s – some ideas
• http://youtu.be/KAOmTMCtGkI
2010
• http://youtu.be/5jaI1XOB-bs
2014
• http://youtu.be/io92j2qqEGk
2014
• http://youtu.be/MVt32qoyhi0
Did you notice?
• Every film mentioned is American
• They all feature white women
• They’re all slim
• They’re all mainstream films
• Your task: research a wider variety of films and representations of young women, focusing on countries other than the US