Name that phrase!

[amycorvus]

I'm trying to remember a word/phrase I've definitely seen before. It refers to something like the measure of 'gender equality' in a peice of literature or media. It might be a 'test', like XXX Test and in context you might say "If we apply the XXX Test to Game of Thrones, you will see etc etc"

Any ideas?

Comments

[tabbyclaw]

The Bechdel test: Does this piece of media A) have two or more named female characters, who B) have a conversation with each other, that C) is not about a man?

[amycorvus]

Yes, thank you!

[chelonianmobile]

I remember the comic strip in which it was named: "The last movie I was able to see was Alien; the two women talk to each other about the monster." I'll say it's not a foolproof test if you're looking for women-heavy media; Pirates of the Caribbean technically fulfils it, because Elizabeth and Anamaria exchange two sentences about the ship chase. Still, it's a start.

[reynardo]

The saddest bit about the test is that the bar is SO LOW, and yet so few movies can get over it.

We saw Star Trek: Into Darkness the other day - and it didn't.

[ext_1284707]

I saw Iron Man 3 over the weekend and it aaaalmost made it. There were two named female characters who talk to each other, alas, they only discuss Tony Stark and the villain.

[amycorvus]

So close! Faith in humanity not yet restored haha

[ext_1284707]

Seriously! They were driving around together and I was bracing myself for one of them to say something that wasn't about a man so I could rejoice. Even something like, "You hungry? Want to get lunch?" "Sure, there's a burger place, do you like burgers?"

[full_metal_ox]

There's also the analogous Johnson test: two characters of color, talking to each other, about something other than a white person.

[ext_1284707]

I bet hardly any movies that aren't either foreign films or specifically targeted at people of color pass this one.

[full_metal_ox]

Hmmm...The Karate Kung-Fu Kid comes to mind.

[amycorvus]

Thanks, I'll definitely be checking that out!
I've also been reading up on the Finkbeiner Test- god it feels good to put a name to something that's irritated me for yeeears!