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ismnotwasm

(41,989 posts)
Thu Nov 7, 2013, 01:03 AM Nov 2013

Sweden Introduces New Movie Rating System Based on the Bechdel Test

OH MY GOD, SWEDEN. Staaaaaaahhp!!! Fresh on the heels of codifying their new gender-neutral pronoun, those plucky Swedes are getting even more proactive in their attempts to turn mommies into people. Unafraid to incorporate feminist thought (i.e. basic fucking equality) into official policy—can you imagine!?—some Swedish movie theaters are introducing a new rating system based on feminist theory's beloved Bechdel Test. Consumers will now be able to select what entertainment they consume based on how successfully it treats women like human beings.

In case you're not familiar with the Bechdel Test, it's a kind of yardstick of female humanity, originally designed to assess whether or not a film treats its female characters like people or props, or even bothers with women at all. It's very simple. When you watch a movie, ask yourself: Does this film contain two or more female characters...who have names...and have a conversation with one another...about something other than a man? You'll be surprised at how many of your favorite films fail.

Clearly, with this step, Sweden isn't going to magically eradicate gender bias in movies, but spreading awareness about shallow female characterization is the first step toward alleviating that problem. The best way to change destructive, oppressive behaviors isn't to MAKE BEING A MAN ILLEGAL, it's to incrementally change people's minds through, you know, letting them know about stuff. Nothing scary. Nothing complicated. It'll be okay, little alpha male.


http://jezebel.com/sweden-introduces-new-movie-rating-system-based-on-the-1459696241?utm_campaign=socialfow_jezebel_twitter&utm_source=jezebel_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Makes me proud to be half Swedish.
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Sweden Introduces New Movie Rating System Based on the Bechdel Test (Original Post) ismnotwasm Nov 2013 OP
I wanna move to Sweden. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #1
Cool right? ismnotwasm Nov 2013 #2
It's a great idea hopefully it'll give rise to deeper female characters in film Arcanetrance Nov 2013 #3
Interesting. Can't just have a token female. nt Deep13 Nov 2013 #4
I like the Bechdel Test, but I don't know how to pronounce "Bechdel." ZombieHorde Nov 2013 #5
Here ya go ismnotwasm Nov 2013 #6
Thanks. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2013 #7
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
1. I wanna move to Sweden.
Thu Nov 7, 2013, 01:09 AM
Nov 2013

Hey, is anybody applying the Bechdel Test to new US releases?

Everyone needs to be made aware of this.

Arcanetrance

(2,670 posts)
3. It's a great idea hopefully it'll give rise to deeper female characters in film
Thu Nov 7, 2013, 01:52 AM
Nov 2013

On a side note if only we can come up with a has the concept been overly done test.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
5. I like the Bechdel Test, but I don't know how to pronounce "Bechdel."
Thu Nov 7, 2013, 02:13 AM
Nov 2013

Is the "ch" soft, as in "chalk," or is it hard, as in "chrome?" I am guessing it is hard, but I don't really know. Is the "del" part pronounced "dell?"

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