Strong female role models have always been difficult to find
in today’s industry, particularly when the airy-fairy damsel in distress has
dominated the silver screen for decades. True female role models do rely upon
the beholder, particularly when every individual admires specific traits. But,
for my own preference I must admit that I would do anything to see a woman kick
ass without any apologies, and without a man taking all the credit.
As a child I was raised on classics like the Fox and the
Hound, and 101 Dalmatians. Luckily the helpless damsels that override princess
films never indoctrinated me. Granted Disney is finally starting to embrace the
strong women with recent Disney flicks, such as Tangled and Brave, becoming
roaring successes when portraying the strength of will of women as their most beautiful
feature. It’s high time that this focal lesson stretched across the entire film
industry. So perhaps it may be seen that some Disney films are finally
embracing the beauty of a strong, independent woman without the need for a dominating
romantic thread, as is displayed in the triumphant Brave. However, recent
imagery of Merida for her Disney feature contrasts the powerful young woman
portrayed in the film, and harshly reverses the positive influence that the
film encourages. Why couldn’t they just leave her as she was?! All I want is a
fairytale without a man to cloud the picture, portraying as message that says
that you don’t need a man to keep you happy.
The recent Snow White and the Huntsman provided some hope
with the focal point being a woman who can fight her own battles, as well as
accepting help from a male counterpart – the perfect balance! For this is the
balance that needs to be found, one that does not dismiss the beauty of a happy
relationship, but also addresses the power a woman on her own can possess. I
for one would love to see more modern retellings of these traditional
princesses, give them power, give them soul and make one a damn lesbian, that’d
be refreshing!
But alas that would be asking too much wouldn’t it, for so
many are fearful of angering the small minorities who would fight tooth and
nail to prevent such a thing happening. A lesbian could encourage children to
be gay; a violent woman might encourage bad behaviour, unladylike behaviour. Of
course that would just be criminal wouldn’t it. I yearn to see the day when an unforgiving,
powerful woman takes the stage, a woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone, and
doesn’t need a male protector, or even romance to make her life whole.
Herein lies the issue I have with other film franchises that
claim to provide a strong, powerful woman who acts as a figurehead for young
women to follower. You can find a million and one courageous, strong-willed men
dominating the silver screens, so why is it that when a woman comes along with
the same characteristics it’s shocking. But alas the world is still trying to
come to terms with seeing a gay kiss on screen, perhaps one day we won’t be all
a clamour whenever a kickass woman is finally portrayed. But, in the franchises
that dominate our screens, and young women’s minds, are any of them truly
strong?
Firstly, I’d love to write a whole thesis on why the
twilight series acts as a bad influence for women, but let me make this
succinct. Bella is not a strong woman. She is depicted as completely unable to
make her own decisions, allowing a man to dictate every aspect of her life,
from her sex life to her ability to drive. This frustrates me beyond all else,
and yes, I have read the books too so I can formulate an opinion. Edward is in
all senses of the description, a dangerous man. He is abusive, controlling, and
for fuck sake he spends almost the entire franchise trying not to eat her!
How does this promote a strong image for young readers to
follow? I for one would not want my future children to view this woman as a
role model, very little is given to her as a choice. The entire book and film
franchise depicts this poor girl running round after a man who consistently
endangers her life, with no regard for her own life. Even Jacob who all but
forces himself upon her in the second book and again doggedly (pun intended)
pursues her until he finally imprints on her daughter (great undertones of
paedophilia there Stephanie Meyers). How in the hell can anyone see these films
as providing a strong female role model?! I understand the addiction to these
novels, but all they appear to do is portray that a woman cannot be happy
without a man controlling her life.
The Hunger Games franchise on the other hand provides and
entirely new point of view. It survives the majority of scrutiny in providing a
strong female role model, in my opinion. The character of Katniss Everdeen is
one of strength and endurance. What I think I find most refreshing about her is
her desire not to be the hero, she fights for herself, and her family, not for
the world. She is manipulated by those around her, but still appears to hold a
resounding power in herself that permeates through both the books and the
films. I think what makes her a particularly admirable female role model for
myself is her dedication to her family, in particular her sister. These are the
attributes I wish others would promote in film, a strong woman who is unafraid
to defend herself, who is unapologetic for who she is, and has no shame in
fighting for her own life and not for the lives of others. However, as much as
I admire the new wave of film franchises that are beginning to promote this new
power woman there is one factor that I wish we could do without; the romance.
But, sadly nearly every strong female role model is tainted
with this undying love that dominates the storyline of these franchises. Even
the new wave of fantasy, with strong female role models, still allows romance
to takeover the storyline including the upcoming Mortal Instruments and
Beautiful Creatures. It frustrates me that an action film with a male star can
have a meaningless romance, or is completely void of it, and is considered
successful. But, we are severely lacking in films that concentrate on an
authoritative woman who has no qualms with sleeping with whomever she likes.
Moreover, being a woman without any need for romance at all, who can fight,
master herself and lead others without apologies. Wouldn’t that be a miracle?
Granted I am not condemning the idea of an influential woman
who has a significant love in her life, that is an ideal I believe in. But,
what I strongly object to is the message that women need to have a man in their
life to make their lives worthy. Furthermore the insistence of writers placing
these momentarily commanding woman in situations that apparently only a man
could save them from. Whereas any male led film can lead its cast without ever
needing the help of a woman. I would have done anything for a strong female
model whose character could have a man, but didn’t necessarily need one. So why
is it that we cannot find one in this day and age?
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