Three rules

[longleggedgit]

I was reading a little old-school Dykes to Watch Out For the other day, which is one of my favorite comic strips, and one of the comics really got to me. One character suggested they take in a movie, and the other enlightened her to the three rules she applies to movies she wants to see. They have to

Comments

[longleggedgit]

I know, I know! It's especially funny to me because I consider myself to be a pretty observant feminist (and even somewhat picky when it comes to the films I will watch that don't offend me), but I still hadn't realized how rare it is for those three simple little things to occur. We just get so used to seeing what we see.

No problem. It gave me a lot to think about, too.

[fireflyrebirth]

I *think* The Princess and the Frog meets the guidelines; Tiana is always talking about her restaurant to people, including her mother... Though in talking about the restaurant she references her father a lot...hmm...

[longleggedgit]

I haven't seen that one yet! I would like to. Hmm, I was thinking about Mulan in terms of this, too, and I can't decide if it should count or not--in the beginning she does have conversations with the other women in her town/her mother/the matchmaker, but since that ENTIRE scene/exchange is all about getting prepared to be married off to a dude, does it work? I was also wondering if it should count if one of the characters is like, so minor as to not even have a name. Hmmm. There's a lot to consider!

But at least both these movies have more than one character of color! I'm not sure what the equivalent conversation characters of color should have, though--a convo that's not about a white character? Or maybe just a convo that doesn't seem super stereotypical?

[furiosity]

In "BLEACH Fade to Black 君の名を呼ぶ", Rukia and Homura (film-only character) talk about Rukia's past. Homura's little brother Shizuku is also present and participates in the conversation intermittently, though (but Homura is definitely the stronger personality in the duo).

Does that count. >.>

But yeah, this is pretty fascinating; I hadn't considered it from this perspective before.

[longleggedgit]

HAHA! I think it counts, yes. :D Actually, as I was typing this up I realized a lot of the anime series/animated Japanese films I love do meet these criteria. Even a lot of the sports/boys' series. It was sort of refreshing! Especially when you think about how most Westerners just assume Japan is a completely patriarchal, restrictive society where the girls only learn to serve tea and manage a household.

I hadn't, either. It's definitely an interesting new way to look at things.

[furiosity]

most Westerners just assume Japan is a completely patriarchal, restrictive society
Yeah, seriously! Some of the manga I follow sometimes have overtones of "girls are weak in general" or (more frequently) "girls are amazing at cooking", but not nearly to the extent that Western media takes it. Even Japanese horror films tend to do better in this respect than most Hollywood fare.

May I repost the criteria in my LJ to see what other people say? I can say it came from you, or just say I saw it in a friend's journal -- it's locked so I don't want to be all OH HAY GUYS LOOK WHAT LINDS IS POSTING ABOUT.

[longleggedgit]

Yeah, Westerners definitely have a skewed idea of Japan (and the rest of Asia, I'd say). Which is not to say there aren't a ton of completely legit issues in their country re: sexism, but um, same with mine, man. And agreed about Japanese horror! I can think of more strong female characters in just ONE Japanese horror film I've seen than I think I could tally up in all the American horror I've seen total.

I was actually thinking of unlocking this anyway, which I like to do from time to time with the big posts on sexism and the like. So yes, feel free, and you can link back here or not as tickles your fancy!

[lauriegilbert]

I was rewatching In Her Shoes the other night and it definitely fits. Two sisters who deal with how their relationship is dysfunctional and trying to find some way to repair it.

[lauriegilbert]

I'm a sucker for chick flicks and Toni Collette so yeah . . I adore it :D

[longleggedgit]

Hmm, I've never seen that one! Or even heard of it! I'll look into it. :) I like films that actually show the relationship between two women in the same family in a realistic light (I feel like a lot of the time films only portray it as being very petty and catty).

I was relieved to note that my favorite movie ever ever ever, Home for the Holidays, passes with flying colors. :)

[longleggedgit]

Isn't Alison Bechdel a god! And yeah, definitely. If nothing else, it's good to think about!

Ahhh I figured I probably missed something! I was a little shaky on the details. I do have to wonder, though, if characters who are so minor as to not have a name should even count.

Yeah, SH fails, sadly, even though I will say that at least both the female characters in it are interesting and strong and don't just exist to be arm ornaments to their male counterparts. But yes, I was thinking about shows a bit, too! 30 Rock is great for that, and Big Love, also.

[longleggedgit]

I was actually just thinking about Merlin, and I think it does fit the bill, yeah! They have at least a few conversations about, y'know, Morgana's health and magic and the like. Still, I'd say it's at least half-and-half with conversations about men.