Mary McDonnell in a documentary on the Arte Channel
On the Arte Channel tonight, there was a documentary (Mr President ) about the representation of the President of the United States through the TV series and the movies.
You can watch it here on arte+7 (it's available only for 7 days For French and German areas), even if it's sometimes dubbed in French, you can watch it, the extracts are in english and I think you can also switch into the German version. Unfortunally If you don't live in France or in Germany, try this and this ( It's only short extracts, hope that it works )
As always Mary Mcdonnell is wonderful and I applause about what she said! (she appears at the beginning, and around 50 mn)
And she is always speaking with her hands! See yourself!
Firstly she explains that it's sometimes difficult to make the difference between fiction and reality.
Secondly she points the fact that seeing a woman in a height position as a leader in fiction, could have an impact on the reality. Indeed it could be possible to change our representation if there are more women in these kind of role, it will be more easier to accept a woman as a president, all the more, any woman had not access already to this position in America.
(They put the extract when she 's taken oath)
Thirdly, she dwells on the fact that in the beginning in Bsg, Laura Roslin is discredited, overtly or in her back. She's mentioned as a schoolteacher or the secretary of education but it's said malevolently and condescending. It disparages the feminine and the education. It's a regrettable aspect in our society. Education should be in the most important position!
(They put the extract when Bill says to Lee in the mini: “You're taking orders from a schoolteacher!”)
And finally, it's been a great lesson of humility to play a role as a President in a crisis situation, how difficult it is to conserve your humanity in this position.
I have no time to say more because I have to wake up in 5h30 ....
So this documentary was very interesting and also the connection with The West Wing ( the show)
