Female in Films!

Movies are an integral part of our lives in the 21st century, and are also a convenient medium to reflect the reality of the society that produces them. However, they not only reflect but also shape and influence society. The representation of women is used as a selling point of films. Women are still depicted or portrayed in the old molds of femininity and are perceived as ‘damsels in distress’, who need a man to protect and save them from the bad guys, like Robin Wright in

The Princess Bride.

The past few years finally brought a collective sigh among women, exclaiming, "I can't take this anymore". This began with worldwide protests, and a movement that ousted multiple high-profile men from positions of power which shows no signs of slowing down. The percentage of major female characters rose from 37% in 2019 to 38% in 2020. The percentage of female characters in speaking roles climbed from 34% in 2019 to 36% in 2020. (“Percentage Of Top-

Grossing Films with Female Protagonists ... - Deadline”)

Our society needs well-written, multi-dimensional female characters because they will change how we view women in real life. Of course, women are not the only people who can write female characters, but when they do, the characters seem more authentic. With the recent success of women-directed movies like Wonder Woman (2017) and Captain Marvel (2019), audiences have proven to Hollywood that female leads and female directors are profitable. Of course, we would not be able to see a change happen overnight, but progress is sure and steady!

- Devika Menon

10 - E