All articles tagged with #gender representation
Research using facial coding and biometric data shows a shift in young male viewers preferring character-driven stories with strong, independent women over high-octane action, leading to more targeted and successful film marketing strategies.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Tommy Norris in Paramount+'s new drama series "Landman," portraying a crisis executive in the oil industry with his signature world-weary charm. While the show, co-created by Taylor Sheridan, effectively humanizes its male characters and explores the complexities of the oil business, it falls short in its portrayal of women, who are often reduced to caricatures. Despite strong performances from actresses like Demi Moore and Ali Larter, their characters lack depth, highlighting a need for more nuanced female representation in Sheridan's otherwise successful series.
Director Coralie Fargeat has withdrawn her film "The Substance" from the Camerimage Film Festival after the festival's director, Marek Żydowicz, made controversial comments about female cinematographers, suggesting that increased representation could lead to "mediocre" films. Steve McQueen also pulled his film "Blitz" from the festival in protest. Żydowicz has apologized and expressed a desire for open dialogue, while the festival jury, led by Cate Blanchett, remains committed to discussing gender representation.
Cate Blanchett and her fellow jury members at the Camerimage Film Festival have expressed support for the event amid controversy over a "deeply sexist" op-ed by the festival's founder, Marek Zydowicz. The op-ed, which attempted to justify the lack of female cinematographers in past festival selections, was widely condemned by the film community, leading to director Steve McQueen withdrawing from the festival. Blanchett and the jury emphasized the importance of discussions on gender representation and inclusivity in the industry, and are considering participating in a public roundtable on these issues.
Cate Blanchett and her fellow jury members at the Camerimage festival have expressed their commitment to fostering meaningful discussions on gender representation in the film industry, following controversial remarks by the festival's director, Marek Żydowicz, regarding the inclusion of female cinematographers. Despite the backlash, including Steve McQueen's withdrawal from the event, Blanchett will remain as jury president, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and excellence in cinema.
Shakira criticized the "Barbie" movie, stating that her sons found it "emasculating" and she agreed to a certain extent, expressing her belief in empowering women without diminishing men's roles. The film has received both praise and criticism for its portrayal of male characters, with some hailing it as a feminist statement and others accusing it of pushing politicized messages. Additionally, GOP lawmakers have condemned the movie for allegedly endorsing China's territorial claims.
Kristen Stewart's Rolling Stone cover, featuring her in androgynous attire and discussing gender and sexuality, has sparked controversy among conservatives while receiving praise from the LGBTQ+ community. Stewart's unapologetically queer photoshoot and comments about breaking gender norms have drawn both criticism and support. The actress also discussed her excitement for her upcoming role in a queer erotic thriller.
In an opinion piece, the author discusses the significance of women filmmakers in reimagining the Frankenstein story, citing examples like "Lisa Frankenstein" and "Poor Things." The article highlights the slow progress of women directors in Hollywood and the film industry's gender disparities. "Lisa Frankenstein" is portrayed as a celebration of women's creativity and a critique of gendered expectations, reflecting the ongoing struggle for women to gain equal opportunities in filmmaking.
India has taken a significant step towards gender representation by passing the Women's Reservation Bill, which reserves one-third of seats in the lower house of Parliament and state legislatures for women. The bill, first introduced 27 years ago, now requires approval from state legislatures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party see this as an opportunity to project a pro-women image ahead of next year's elections. While the bill has been celebrated, some critics argue that it falls short of recognizing women's entitlement to equal representation and may not address disparities within different groups. If implemented, the bill could help improve gender parity in a country where only 15.1% of parliamentary seats are held by women.
Sara Ramirez, star of "And Just Like That," has responded to ongoing criticisms of their character, Che Diaz, emphasizing that they are not the fictional characters they portray and are not responsible for the dialogue written for them. Ramirez, who uses they/them pronouns, highlighted the increasing hostility towards those who challenge gender norms and disrupt the mainstream. They addressed a recent article that conflated them with their character, expressing frustration at the attempt to mock their thoughtfulness and dismiss their valid existence. Ramirez also reminded readers that they can love women without identifying as one, that feminists come in all genders, and that criticisms of dialogue should be directed towards those in charge. They reiterated that one non-binary character does not represent the entire community.
The author provides a re-review of the game Lollipop Chainsaw, praising its portrayal of the female protagonist, Juliet Starling, as a complex and empowered character. They argue that the game subverts traditional gender expectations and allows Juliet to be both sexual and competent, while also showcasing vulnerability. The author appreciates the game's understanding of the messy and dangerous aspects of womanhood, making it a refreshing departure from traditional "girl games." Overall, they see Juliet's character as a high point for women in gaming.
The release of the movie "Barbie" has brought attention to Ken, Barbie's long-time companion, who has historically played a secondary role. While Barbie has always been more popular than Ken, it remains to be seen if the movie will increase Ken's production and sales. Ken's relationship to Barbie has been debated over the years, with some seeing him as Barbie's boyfriend and others as her best friend and queer icon. Ken has evolved over time, becoming more diverse and inclusive. The movie's release is expected to boost sales of Ken dolls, but the long-term impact is uncertain. Overall, the popularity of Barbie has increased, with sales rising by 40% in the last two weeks of July compared to the same period in 2022.
A Splatoon 3 fan reportedly bought Nintendo shares to attend the company's annual shareholder meeting and complain about the lack of poses for male characters in the game. The attendee accused Nintendo of favouring female characters and claimed that their previous letters had been ignored. While some agree that there's an imbalance, others feel that there are more pressing issues that need addressing in the game. Splatoon 3 doesn't assign genders to characters, and players have the option to customize their own character how they like.