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

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