Yesterday I posted the results of an L.A. Times study on the demographics of the Academy voters who decide who receives Oscars. What about the movies they’ll be voting on this year? The always-awesome Anita Sarkeesian, of Feminist Frequency, produced a short video applying the Bechdel test — the simple measure of even minimal representation of women in film — to the 2012 Oscar nominees, as well as a racial version of the Bechdel test that looks at how non-Whites are included. The results are not encouraging:
Comments 9
C. D. Leavitt — February 23, 2012
Excellent commentary from Anita, particularly in her criticisms of "The Help." The dominance of one viewpoint in film is difficult to even recognize for many people.
YourName — February 24, 2012
Referring to the black-white issue, I want to ask what percentage of the people taking part in videos of black rappers and maybe black singers are white. Most of the people I see are black, sometimes I don't see a singe white person. Many white people may be racists, but too many black people are as well racists, however their attitude is not judged.
Mae Spires — February 24, 2012
Just have to quickly note that, as Anita said, Winter's Bone is an awesome movie. I second her recommendation.
Ben Zvan — February 27, 2012
I think a male version of the test would be interesting and possibly a useful tool for comparison. I would bet that even most female-centric films would pass by a wide margin.