Considering we are focussing on the idea of “self” in our project brief 2 task, I thought focussing on a well fleshed out identity in the form of a film character would be relevant. Therefore, here is a short piece on the influence of the 3-dimensionally constructed identity of Leia Organa in the original 1977 Star Wars.
George Lucas’ 1977 space opera Star Wars is not only seen as monumental in pop culture for it’s revolutionary scope and visual effects, but also in it’s containment of a strong, independent female character in Leia Skywalker, something especially rare considering that men account for 74.4% if lead roles in Hollywood films. Eugene Nulman, in his 2011 report found that of the top 10 highest grossing films of the 1980’s, that ‘women are rarely ever central characters’ (Nulman 2011, p.903). It’s clear from Nulman’s report that such a strong-willed and independent female character is almost unseen in film at this time. Leia Skywalker defied this convention through her three-dimensional personality and independent identity, rather than simply being a foil or assisting character to a male protagonist. Nulman also found that in the 1980’s ‘many films include women being rescued, others do not include women characters as rescuers’ (Nulman 2011, p.903). Once again the character of Leia contrasts this, where she ‘rescues on the individual level as well as playing an important role in the rebellion’ (Nulman 2011, p.903).
Whilst Star Wars is clearly an important cultural landmark in its defiance of 1970’s and 80’s gender archetypes, the 10 most popular films (IMDB) in the years to follow the 1983 release of Return of the Jedi, present films where females are still seen as minor characters, without the same independence and strength as Leia. This can be seen in 1988, with Die Hard and Rain Man, or in 1994 with The Shawshank Redemption (IMDB). Therefore, whilst Star Wars can be seen as feminist-revolutionary, it’s impact on feminism in film would not be seen until much later with female-protagonist films such as The Hunger Games, and arguably in future decades as Hollywood continues to move towards complete gender equality.
References
- ‘Representation of women in the age of globalized film.(Report)’ by Nulman, Eugene, 2011, Journal of Research in Gender Studies, 2014, Vol.4, p.898 to p.903
- http://www.imdb.com/year/1988/
- http://www.imdb.com/year/1994/