Tired of the same old processed dross at the movies? Would you like to see more women on screen, in proper roles? Check this out.
2015 is the 30th anniversary of the Bechdel Test, the handy measure for female representation in film that originated in Allison Bechdel’s comic Dykes To Watch Out For. To commemorate the creation of this useful and telling measure The Bechdel Test Fest are hosting a series of events throughout the year. For March the theme is Little Women, Big Stories; each of the four films has dynamic and inspiring young women at the centre. Furthermore each was written and directed by a woman, which is far too rare an occurrence. After every showing there will be a Q&A from a selection of very talented film folk, including actors, writers and journalists. Take your pick from the screenings below – or be a true film addict and go to all of them! Further screening & ticket info available here, & you can get involved with future events too.
Mon 23rd March: Appropriate Behaviour (writ/dir. Desiree Akhavah) Greenwich Picturehouse, 6pm
– with writer/director/star Desiree Akhavah, film editor of feminist website The F Word Ania Ostrowska & Iranian journalist & filmmaker Nika Jazaee.
Tues 24th March: Fish Tank (writ/dir. Andrea Arnold) Genesis Cinema, 7pm
– with film festival programmer Nia Childs & QMU Film Studies Lecturer Lucy Bolton.
Wed 25th March: Tiny Furniture (writ/dir. Lena Dunham) Hackney Picturehouse, 4pm
– with Little White Lies film critic Sophie Kaufman & American playwright Sarah Kosar.
Thurs 26th March: Wadjda (writ/dir. Haifaa al-Mansour) Stratford Picturehouse, 4pm
– with writer/director Haifaa al-Mansour.