A few weeks ago, we learned about the Bechdel Test. As we know, in order for a film to pass the Bechdel Test, a movie must meet the following criteria: \
1) it has to have at least two women in it, who
2) talk to each other, about
3) something over than a man
The test was first brought to light by Alison Bechdel’s comic Dykes to Watch Out For in 1985. When I first learned about the Bechdel Test, I thought to myself, how hard can that be? It sounds so simple. I am definitely aware of the influence of white patriarchal capitalism that dominates Hollywood (as evidenced by my rants in previous blogs!), and the minimal, overtly sexualized role of women in film. But these three rules just sounded way too easy for the thousands of movies out there not to pass.
Oh, how I was wrong. I watch a lot of movies in my spare time. In fact, it is probably one of my favorite pastimes. After learning of the Bechdel test, I started to realize that none of the films I was watching were passing. The weeks are passing, and the more films I watch, the angrier I get! How can this many films not meet these simple criteria! No matter how good the film is that I am watching is, I can’t help but lose a little bit of respect for it after realizing its Bechdel failure! It’s like I’m on a personal mission to watch a film that passes it! Even reflecting back on my favorite films, I can’t help but enjoy them a little bit less!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched a few movies in my spare time, which include the following: Unknown, Grown-ups, Message in a Bottle, Heartbreaker, and some of my favorites- Slumdog Millionaire, Fight Club, Seven, and Crash. None of them passed. I can't help but feel like a disappointed parent as I watch my favorite films fail miserably! As bitter as I may sound about the topic, this newly acquired knowledge has not ruined my movie-watching experience. It has definitely opened my eyes to the vast extent of the prevalence of male dominance in Hollywood. This newly acquired awareness will allow me to critique films with higher standards, and appreciate those films that actually pass!
The Bechdel Test definitely evokes strong responses from students. It does sound really easy at first, but it is shocking how many films cannot pass. You may want to check out a blog dedicated to checking off if films pass: http://bechdeltest.com/ and, also, a blog from one of my students last quarter that had an interesting spin on the test: http://nataliescinematakes.blogspot.com/2010/11/natalie-test.html
ReplyDeleteI like how you put the Test to the test in your blog. It definitely shows that you are making some great out of class connections.
- Ruth
If this is a million-and-one post on this subject, I am sorry, it seems like my last million didn’t go through or it is too long of a post, so I will break my “one” post into three parts. Sorry about the three posts!
ReplyDelete“Bechdel Bulls**t!” I love the title! I, too, was upset when I learned about the Bechdel Test and all the movies that fail. As I thought about it more, I actually don’t think I like it much. I am not saying that the status quo is good, but the test does not seem to be that good. Here is why.
ReplyDeleteI could have a move with down grading stereotypical women in it that pass the test, but I don’t think that is good. Or I could have a movie with good strong rounded female characters that doesn’t past the test, that seems better.
One day as I was thinking about it I remembered that the group “Women In Film” had a test, The Luminas Award.” It started in 1986 and ended a few years later, unfortunately. Their purpose was “…to reward positive non-stereotypical portrayal of women” (Creating Unforgettable Characters). It was more detailed (8 requirements instead of only 3) and didn’t allow for any of the problems above. Five of the requirements fit well for help determining the quality of minority characters also. I can post the details for you if you like.
ReplyDeleteYour opinion is so interesting. As what you said, there are so many movies cannot pass the test, but there are still good movies actually. I know that passing the test is important, but I hope you still remember the joy that you got when you were watching them. I think this is the most important thing for the audiences.
ReplyDelete