[Wamvan] What makes a film feminist?

[Natalie Hill]

Hey WAM!mers,

Last month a few WAM!Van folks got together to discuss films and develop a
WAM! Van Movie List. That list is in development... we'll be posting our
movie pics on the WAM! Van Facebook page very soon. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here's some highlights from our gathering:

*Links
*These articles and interviews came up during our chat. You might want to
check them out:*
*

The Bechdel Test <http://bechdeltest.com/> - how it works and a list of
movies rated using the list
Is it OK to like songs you find
sexist?<http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2013/07/26/is-it-ok-to-like-songs-you-find-sexist/index.html>
(re:
Blurred Lines) - debate on CBC radio show, Q. Also contains links to parody
videos.
Mike Usinger's column in the Georgia
Straight<http://www.straight.com/music/409351/robin-thicke-all-about-tits-and-nothing-tits>
-
in short, he loves the "tits" in Blurred Lines
The Mako Mori Test - original tumblr post by
chaila<http://chaila.tumblr.com/post/58379322134/spider-xan-also-i-was-thinking-more-about-why>,
response post on the Daily
Dot<http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/mako-mori-test-bechdel-pacific-rim/>

*Questions*
These were the questions that underscored a few of the conversations we
had. What do you think?

   1. Should a film that serves some women well, but that also has some
   offensive content, be "written off"? Or can you still call it a film that
   is feminist friendly?
   2. In what ways does Hollywood erase feminist aspects of books when they
   are adapted (i.e. nuanced class, gender and race analysis)? Why does this
   happen? What are the consequences?
   3. How do you respond when our favourite shows do racist, sexist or
   offensive things?
   4. What are the problems with race-swapping (changing race of characters
   when adapting books/screenplays into movies)?
   5. When is it an appropriate time to make bio-pics? Do the subjects have
   to be long gone? What are the ethics involved?
   6. When, if ever, do you boycott a film, TV show or other piece of
   media?
   7. How do we broach issues about problematic media with our friends and
   family (who watch/read/listen to things we find offensive)?
   8. Does a film automatically serve women if it's by a woman director?
   9. What makes for a feminist film?
   10. How do we find/seek out feminist films? How can we help each other
   do that?


Feel free to reply with your thoughts on any one of the above!

- Nat

PS - an email to come about following up on #10 above!
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