Tag: Representation on screen

Female Characters, Feminism, Women in Film

#BreaktheBias: Five Female Stereotypes In Film That Need To Go

The theme for this International Women’s Day is ‘Break the Bias’, according to the official International Women’s Day website “Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.” We are all being urged to actively call out any form of bias and/or discrimination that we may encounter. Continue reading #BreaktheBias: Five Female Stereotypes In Film That Need To Go

jmamennLeave a comment
Personal Essays

Editorial: The Intent of It All

By Morgan Roberts With the Oscars inching closer, the conversation around the films nominated is intensifying.  And one conversation is sparking debate on representation in film and intent behind that representation. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “Licorice Pizza”(2022), you will find more than a killer 1970’s soundtrack and a strong performance by Alana Haim.  You will also get to watch a character make a racist … Continue reading Editorial: The Intent of It All

msmlrobertsLeave a comment
Film Reviews, Reviews

King Richard – With Family Anything is Possible 

“King Richard” directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and produced by Venus and Serena Williams is a celebration of the Black family, Black fatherhood and Black Girl Magic. The film serves as a biographical drama detailing the journey to tennis superstardom for Venus and Serena Williams due in large part to their eccentric and ambitious father, Richard Williams. Continue reading King Richard – With Family Anything is Possible 

jmamennLeave a comment
Film Industry, Personal Essays, Women in Film

Editorial: It Is Exhausting Trying to Find Myself in Cinema, And That’s a Problem

Do you remember the first time you saw yourself in a movie or television show?  Do you remember the feelings that go with it?  The shock of seeing your reflection.  The little guilt that comes with your weaknesses or faults.  The elation you feel seeing yourself.  And also the relief that there is at least one person in the world who sees you, authentically and unabashedly.

I find it difficult to have those moments.  The first film that ever struck me that way was 2010’s “Easy A.”  Emma Stone stars as precocious, intelligent, ego-centric teenager Olive, who thinks she can outsmart life and feelings.  I loved that film so much.  I still feel a bit of a high every time I see it.   Continue reading Editorial: It Is Exhausting Trying to Find Myself in Cinema, And That’s a Problem

msmlrobertsLeave a comment
Female Characters, Feminism, Film Industry, Personal Essays, Women in Film

Editorial: The Backlash Against Calls For Better Gender Representation On Screen

On 21st November Anita Sarkeesian tweeted to highlight the lack of female characters in the first episode of Disney’s new Star Wars show “The Mandalorian” and it caused an immediate backlash.

The discourse that’s still raging raises some fairly universal arguments which are worth exploring. It’s this discourse I want to focus on here, not the accuracy or otherwise of Sarkeesian’s tweet as I have not seen “The Mandalorian”. Continue reading Editorial: The Backlash Against Calls For Better Gender Representation On Screen

Caz1 Comment
Female Characters, Film Reviews, Retrospect Reviews

Retrospective Review: The Lego Ninjago Movie

“The Lego Ninjago Movie” (2017) is funny and bright with a strong message at the core. But if it’s a representative of a universal playtime fantasy we have some serious issues on our hands. Playtime doen’t really include women and girls.

Lloyd (Dave Franco) is a Lego teenager who happens to be the son of evil Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux). He’s also secretly a Ninjago warrior, along with friends Nya, Zane, Jay, Cole and Kai. Together they must battle to defeat evil Lord Garmadon and find their inner peace (inner Lego piece, get it!) on the way. Together they defeat the Ultimate Weapon – a cat called Meowthra – and Garmadon’s evil plans.

This is a fun film. Funny, colourful, playful, and self-aware. But it falls into the trap of being aimed at all children but focuses on male characters to the notable exclusion of female ones. Continue reading Retrospective Review: The Lego Ninjago Movie

Caz1 Comment