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There are many uncommon inclusions in Nomadland (2020), but I want to draw your attention to just three noteworthy ones today. Firstly it is one of the very few feature films in which women appear without makeup intended to make them look more attractive to men. Most of the female characters look like they aren't wearing any makeup at all. Secondly it boasts at least three named female characters with lines that are over sixty, including the protagonist, 63-year-old Frances McDormand. The third inclusion occurs more than halfway through in a short scene in which McDormand is performing janitorial duties. She is cleaning the mirror of a men's public restroom when a man walks in, and she tells him the restroom is closed (for cleaning). He ignores her completely, walks to the stall next to her and begins urinating without acknowledging her in any way. It is obvious that she is uncomfortable, and she leaves before he finishes, clearly not wishing to remain in the restroom with this rude, inconsiderate man. None of these inclusions receive attention from any of the characters. They do not comment on the absence of makeup, the women's ages or the man's lack of regard for a woman in a public restroom. However, these inclusions merit our attention. The screenplay was written by Chloé Zhao, based on a book by Jessica Bruder, and was also directed by Zhao. It is not an insignificant detail that women were instrumental in making this film. Female filmmakers tend to portray female characters more realistically than their male counterparts. Their female characters tend to be treated better. Female filmmakers are also much more likely to focus on men's blameworthy behaviour towards women. It's a film that is definitely worth a watch. Copyright © 2021 Alline Cormier 
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Because I was in the mood for feel good movies this weekend I watched Little Women (2019) and Bend it Like Beckham (2002). They did the trick. However, there were a couple of things about the latter that struck me. At one point Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley are (mistakenly) believed to be lesbians and Knightley is mistaken for a boy because she has short hair (and wears pants). Writer/director Gurinder Chadha effectively makes the point that people are quick to jump to the conclusion that girls who have an affectionate, congenial relationship are lesbians. She also demonstrates how unusual some people find it for girls to have short hair (they expect girls to have long hair and equate short hair with boys). She makes the point that short hair for girls is normal (i.e. just as normal as long hair). I would have found it incredible that these inclusions were necessary but for the fact that nearly 20 years later they are likely still necessary. People are still making similar regressive assumptions about girls and women (i.e. that girls who are affectionate must be lesbians and not adhering to regressive sex stereotypes makes one a boy). Now society is going one step further and brainwashing girls into thinking that if they want short hair (not long) and prefer pants and flat shoes to dresses, skirts and high heels they aren't really girls and must actually be boys. It's absolute rot of course but believed by many at the moment. I suppose because I come from a family of heterosexual women with short hair (both grandmothers, aunts, mother) who wear pants much more often than skirts and dresses these regressive assumptions always seemed ridiculous to me. They should seem ridiculous to anyone thinking critically. I wonder what future movies made about the madness, sexism and misogyny of the second decade of the 21st century will look like. P.S. Both Bend it Like Beckham and Little Women (2019) have much to offer female viewers. Copyright © 2021 Alline Cormier  Two days ago, on Mother's Day, my son agreed to watch a movie full of women with me. I suggested a handful of movies and he picked Hidden Figures (2016), starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe. It's one of my favourite films because it has so much to offer female viewers. He had already seen it a few times and likes it but my husband hadn't. His interest in space exploration ensured his interest though, and it was a lovely evening. This is exactly the kind of movie men and boys need to watch more of. Below I've posted a clip to give you a glimpse if you haven't already seen it. Happy belated Mother's Day! Copyright © 2021 Alline Cormier  |
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