One of the questions we posed today in class was whether it would be possible or not to create a feminist film. After hearing some of the points brought up in class today, I’d have to say the answer is no, and if yes, then it would be very difficult. The reason for my belief is based off of a double standard that exists among the female population. When women are looked at one way, they are automatically criticized and questioned for not being a different way. An example of this is as follows. Let’s say you make a feminist film. The lead female character is strong, independent, and self-sufficient. Because of the way society is “coded” we will have a problem with this portrayal. “Why isn’t she allowed to be sexually free? Why does she have to be independent and without a man in order to be successful?” These are some of the questions that would follow. Furthermore there is another side to this. Now you make a feminist film, but the female is free, not tied down to one man, and not afraid to use what she has to get where she wants to be. Now the questions will be turned more into statements. “She’s a (fill in the blank here) slut, bimbo, etc.
Sam Potoczak
I completely agree with you, Sam. I think that the only way to solve this double standard problem between women and men is to acknowledge the issue openly. Film critics have to be mindful of the ways in which society affects the ways in which women and men are viewed films, even in films that seem to purposefully implement gender equality. This makes me think of the series, “Gilmore Girls.” This series highlights a young single mother’s success in raising her daughter. She seems to be relatively financially stable and her daughter seems smart and capable. Even so, viewers could be quick to question the lack of a male authority figure because of the stereotype of what a family should look like. Stereotypes are hard to break, and I think in other instances the media likes to use them as a source of comedy and satire. Even while so such media acknowledges the issue, it sometimes does so in a way that makes gender equality seem like a thing to laugh at. In other words, the roles of genders in films can always be seen as controversial. A truly feminist film just seems impossible by use of definition- why are we calling it feminist if we are arguing it should be normal?