{"id":21489,"date":"2019-02-04T12:32:35","date_gmt":"2019-02-04T12:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/?p=21489"},"modified":"2019-02-04T12:32:35","modified_gmt":"2019-02-04T12:32:35","slug":"female-representation-in-films-where-to-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/female-representation-in-films-where-to-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Female Representation In Films: Where To Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2018\/feb\/22\/women-lead-characters-2017-biggest-films-stats-hollywood\">According to The Guardian, 29% of the top movies of 2016 featured female protagonists &#8211; an all-time high. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>Films such as Arrival, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the Ghostbusters all-female remake, were included in this bracket.<\/p>\n<p>2017 ushered in a slight drop in this percentage, but for the first time since 1958, the top three movies of the year were spearheaded by female protagonists- Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Beauty and the Beast, and Wonder Woman.<\/p>\n<p>From a social standpoint, this stellar representation of women as leading characters was something to be celebrated, but quickly became an equality dichotomy of sorts.<\/p>\n<p>For years, the LBGT community went through a similar period of lack of representation.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 3500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com\/2017\/02\/rts10ig7.jpg\" alt=\"Image result for moonlight oscar\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2527\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><strong>Moonlight winning Best Picture in 2017 was seen as a major step forward for LGBT representation in the film industry<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Where gay, lesbian and transgender characters were included, their dimensions soon became stereotypical and tired.<\/p>\n<p>We are now facing the same contradiction, this time with female protagonists being presented as anything but the post-War &#8220;damsel in distress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Directors such as Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi), Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) and Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) are to be commended for their writing of strong characters to lead a plot regardless of gender \u2026 but at the same time, they are the most significant contributors to something labelled as &#8220;The Rey Effect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/am24.akamaized.net\/tms\/cnt\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Daisy-Ridley-as-Rey-in-Star-Wars-The-Last-Jedi.jpg\" alt=\"Related image\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><strong>Dark Side: Rey&#8217;s leading role in the Disney sequel trilogy has ushered in a new era of positive female representation, but is also a double-edged sword for writers<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This concept was named after the main character of the newest Star Wars trilogy and devised by fan theory YouTuber Thor Skywalker.<\/p>\n<p>It presents the idea that female protagonists are now being portrayed as such and not merely characters.<\/p>\n<p>One of the best examples of a believable, empathy-evoking but strong character is Ripley from the Alien franchise, played by Sigourney Weaver.<\/p>\n<p>In said franchise, the main trait of Ripley is not that she is female.<\/p>\n<p>Now, it almost seems like writers have changed their tune so drastically that the gender of a main character can be used as a &#8220;redeeming&#8221; factor.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/788\/0*DFHpDJOfLvL1snlh.jpg\" alt=\"Image result for ripley aliens\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><strong>Leading The Charge: Ripley in 1986&#8217;s Aliens is seen as one of pop cultures most iconic female characters<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It&#8217;s certainly something to watch out for in the coming year, with big franchise installments such as Captain Marvel and Star Wars Episode IX on the way.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21489\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"21489\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-facebook nolightbox\" data-provider=\"facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;t=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F&#038;s=100&#038;p&#091;url&#093;=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;p&#091;images&#093;&#091;0&#093;=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fpatty.jpg&#038;p&#091;title&#093;=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Facebook\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/facebook.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-twitter nolightbox\" data-provider=\"twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;text=Hey%20check%20this%20out\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"twitter\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/twitter.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-reddit nolightbox\" data-provider=\"reddit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Reddit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;title=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"reddit\" title=\"Share on Reddit\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/reddit.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-pinterest nolightbox\" data-provider=\"pinterest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Pin it with Pinterest\" href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fpatty.jpg&#038;description=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"pinterest\" title=\"Pin it with Pinterest\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/pinterest.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-linkedin nolightbox\" data-provider=\"linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie&#038;title=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"linkedin\" title=\"Share on Linkedin\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/linkedin.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-mail nolightbox\" data-provider=\"mail\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share by email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=Female%20Representation%20In%20Films%3A%20Where%20To%20Next%3F&#038;body=Hey%20check%20this%20out:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anfocal.ie\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"mail\" title=\"Share by email\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" style=\"display: inline;width:48px;height:48px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/addons\/extra-icons\/image\/social\/circle\/96x96\/mail.png\" \/><\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to The Guardian, 29% of the top movies of 2016 featured female protagonists &#8211; an all-time high. Films such as Arrival, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the Ghostbusters all-female remake, were included in this bracket. 2017 ushered in a slight drop in this percentage, but for the first time since 1958, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21489\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"21489\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10975,"featured_media":21491,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[101838,9,102005],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture-fuinneamh","category-film_media","category-fuinneamh"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":19,"today_views":0},"views":1944,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/patty.jpg","wps_subtitle":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10975"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21489"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21494,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21489\/revisions\/21494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}