Women in Film

Over the past century, the role of women in society has changed drastically. For decades, women have fought for equality, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Today, women have equal rights in the eyes of the law, and it is no longer unacceptable to be a strong, independent woman. Despite this advancement of women in society, however, it is still said that we live in a “man’s world”. This is a bold statement, but unfortunately, male dominance is still apparent in every day life, which is also reflected in our film industry. This blog will discuss the portrayal of women in early film, and how women are portrayed in films today.

           

In the beginning of the 20^th century, before the Women’s Rights movements, women were portrayed very differently than they are today. Described as Victorian women, women in early films were innocent, childlike, and virtuous. She was fragile, and needed the protection of a man to be safe. She was never allowed to display her sexuality, as sex was a duty in order to reproduce, and not for her pleasure. She was assumed a virgin until she married her husband, who she would then be loyally devoted to. Films showed that women who did not follow this role, such as those who were openly sexual, or had a child out of wedlock, were punished. They were thrown into the streets as social outcasts. “These texts taught severe ideological lessons to young women of the era: to be sexual outside of marriage most often led to ruin,” (America on Film, pg. 219).

           

Lara Croft in Tomb Raider

In films today, women are much more sexually liberated. For example, the movie Sex and the City (which is based off a HBO series), is about four female friends in their forties who live in New York City. These four ladies are strong and independent, and frequently have very frank and descriptive conversations about sex. This kind of behavior would be unheard of in early cinema! Despite this sexual freedom, white patriarchal capitalism still dominates the film industry. The main character of films is often a white male, and the female is usually in a supporting role. Women often play beautiful but helpless characters who need to be saved by the star male character. “Whereas the male is defined by his actions, job, and/or principles, the heroine is defined chiefly by her beauty and/or sex appeal.” If a female is to take a lead role, it is usually in a “chick flick”, where her goal is to fall in love with Mr. Right, or an action film, where she plays a character whose greatest quality is her sex appeal. For example, in the film Tomb Raider, Lara Croft (played by Angelina Jolie) is the main character, who happens to be extremely sexy. With large breasts and tiny waist, covered by extra-short shorts and an extra small tank-top, her sex appeal grabs more attention than her “ass-kicking” skills. Yet, had Lara Croft had a “butch” look, sporting old jeans and a t-shirt, this would have a drastic effect on the audience’s acceptance of her character!

Although there have been major changes in the portrayal of women over the past century, there is still an inaccurate image of the role of women. Women are frequently sexually objectified, which often goes unnoticed. However, as we have seen, things change with time, and as women gain more equality in society, we will also see changes in the film industry.