The media plays a huge role in portraying women in movies. The media has shaped our way of thinking and ways we should portray women. In the beginning of the semester in our discussion about the decades, we focused on how women are seen on TV and in movies. TV shows such as the Brady Bunch and Green Acres has shown women as housewives or background characters while the main focus is on the male and his experiences at home, at work, and hanging out with friends. In movies, the women also are in housewife positions or the beautiful but vulnerable damsel- in- distress waiting for the strong male character to come rescue her.
Today, those characteristics are still shown in hero movies such as Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man.
I read an article on Yahoo's entertainment website that discussed the huge debate over the new female role in the James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace". The character Camille has played the opposite role of a typical "Bond Woman", one that is "tough, independent, and modern."
In the movie, she has a dangerous mission, in which typically the dangerous missions are all focused on Bond, and this time unlike all the other Bond girls doesn't sleep with Bond. On the other hand, critics are demanding for more sex and commented that majority of the women in the other Bond movies contributed little to the popularity of the movie itself. A feminist writer even said "These films were attempts by men to keep women in their place and to ensure they still ironed their shirts".
I think that this film is great example of breaking down the women stereotype of the past and showing its audience that women to can do dangerous stunts and be independent (for a film series that is 46 years old). Especially in a movie such as a James Bond movie, where the only purpose a woman has is to be beautiful, seductive, and sleep with James Bond. This can also connect with our discussion comparing the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Sex In The City. They all focus on independent women and their lives outside of the boring household. They heavily contribute to the gender change in society today by eliminating male dominance and promoting power for women.
1 comment:
It is so refreshing to find women portrayed in the media as strong, independent women. I personally have no interest in James Bond, so I have not seen any James Bond movies. But I do know who the James Bond girls are from watching movie clips and seeing pictures. They all traditionally look like sex objects. But I do give the James Bond franchise credit for giving the new "Bond Woman" more independence.
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