By Diana Martinez
Amongst the stereotyping Superbowl commercials and the hetero-normative advertisements for Valentine’s Day, February can be a tough month for some of us SPARKladies, especially in terms of the media. For me, the most exciting occasion–apart from Mount Holyoke’s annual Drag Ball party–is the Academy Awards.
Movies account for a huge part of the media’s influence. Thousands of people go to the movie theaters every year and thousands more watch them at home on a regular basis. Not only do we see the movie posters all over billboards, television, and the Internet, we also find merchandise in the stores reminding us to watch the latest film.
Throughout film history, we’ve had our fair share of disturbingly stereotypical movies that teach women to obsess over marriage (such as the film 27 Dresses) or portray women as weak, acquiescent and submissive (Rosemary’s Baby is the first film comes to mind.) However, there has been a trend to display and glorify strong and empowering images of women in recent films. This Oscar season, there are a number of nominated films that portray women as strong, independent thinkers and doers. Characters like Mattie in True Grit, Alice in the remake of Alice in Wonderland, or Ree in Winter’s Bone, give young girls in the audience a different and positive role model.
What is most exciting is two of these young actresses are nominated for an Oscar for their role. Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Ree in Winter’s Bone, is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Hailee Steinfeld, who portrays Mattie in True Grit, is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Not only do these women take nontraditional roles, but they also display different sentiments and behavioral characteristics. They also reach for higher goals than those offered to women in other films. For example, in True Grit, Mattie takes the initiative in seeking vengeance on the outlaw who killed her father. In the 1800s and today, violence is normally considered to be strictly part of the male sphere. Although many have different opinions on violence in general, we can all agree that it is neither a male nor a female act.
Also, when a woman in a film takes on a warrior role, she often is subject to sexualization. However, these recent films do not display their heroines as the stereotypical sexy, kickass girl. Mattie stays clothed in her full-length dress and braids throughout the entire movie and Ree dresses appropriately for a teenage girl in a cold climate. Of course, I don’t believe that all women and girls should be covered head to toe, but it’s refreshing to see that the films took so much confidence in the strength of their characters that they did not need to rely on their bodies.
Furthermore, these young girls are not even thinking about a romantic relationship through the films. Even Alice, although betrothed for marriage, refuses this path and chooses a more independent future.
I believe the change in characters is due to the fact that more women are involved in the film industry. Up until recently, this line of work has been a male-dominated field. Just last year, the first woman won best director and best picture for The Hurt Locker. If we want to see change in the media, we need more women working for the media. The most effective transformation comes from within.
I haven’t seen Winter’s Bone or True Grit yet, but now I really want to. I have to ask, have you seen Black Swan? What did you think of it? The opinion’s mixed on how positive a portrayal of women it has, but it’s definitely a female-centered film.
I think to show true equality at Oscar time they should do away with the “actor” and “actress” categories. Mash them together. That way, if you’re a woman or a man, if you’re good enough at your job, you get nominated.
Good post. I’m all for the visibility of strong, independent women who break gender norms. Unfortunately, it is still disconcerting that both of these women are white. Do women of color have a place in these roles as independent, powerful agents? Is the media ready for that?