The Bechdel Test Gender Analysis

The importance of an assortment of racial groups off-screen is arguably necessary in order to produce a larger amount of diversity within films and to better represent POC. Arguably, this may be one factor when considering why POC are not being cast if the people that are casting are white and will not want to break the system of institutionalised racism. In regards to gender, Women are another oppressed group. Women are often sexualised and objectified and are also commonly exposed to negative portrayals within the film industry. A test referred to as The Bechdel Test has even been created in order to measure the quality of women’s roles within films, the test follows a rule in which within the film, two women must talk to each other about …show more content…
Despite this, social media can also falsely represent a progression that is in reality, regressive. Through social media many celebrities have stated their position, boycotting the Oscars and sharing their personal disapproval online. However, it is a rare occurrence that individuals and society as a whole, talk about those behind the camera. To be able to convey a minority character, it is important to have diversity on the set of the filmmaking crew, so that the ‘character stays a character and not a caricature’. If a film were to be made with a Native American character as the lead role, it would be the film crews responsibility to depict this character in a well represented way. However, if the film’s crew lacks diversity behind the camera and cannot relate to the character that is in-front of the screen- the character will end up with a stereotypical role, likely playing a wise, quiet, ‘chief’ who is deeply in touch with nature. Thus continuing the improper representation and reinforcing stereotypical roles through the lack of diversity within the crew of a film. In consideration of this, boycotting the Oscars and stating how representation is unfair will undoubtably shed light on to the film industry’s institutionalised racism. However, focusing on the next generation of young people- telling minorities that they can aspire to become directors, writers and producers within the industry despite the figures will eventually lead to a larger amount of diversity behind the screen which hopefully leads to more diversity on