Special Feature: Feminine Issues

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" (Maya Angelou)

I don't have the exact figure, but I'm 100% certain that from all the movies that have ever been produced in the world, there would be much more male protagonists and characters than female ones. The narrative of a male hero saving a woman in trouble is one of the oldest ever conceived by human minds, and in 1985, author Alison Bechdel developed a set of parameters (later called 'Bechdel Test') to judge the strength of women's presence in movies; a vast majority of movies unsurprisingly failed the test. Worse, some movies are even downright misogynistic in how it openly mocks and undermines the importance of their female characters.

However, there is still a minority group of movies starring not only well-defined female characters, but also having them doing something other than just being the object of male characters' desire. Even as early as 1928, Renée Jeanne Falconetti gave a stunning performance as historical figure Jeanne D'Arc in The Passion of Joan D'Arc, widely regarded as one of the greatest silent movies ever; and who can forget the enigmatic wife character from Rashomon?

In the modern era of globalism, feminism, and other such -isms floating around, it is not surprising anymore to see the likes of Hollywood churning out movies featuring Sigourney Weaver (Alien series), Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider, Wanted, Salt), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), and others as bad-ass female heroines. And yet, empowerment could be portrayed in a far deeper and more various ways than just giving huge guns to female characters and letting them kill bad guys with it.

Through the ages, the womankind had been experiencing issues and problems that a lot of males have no hope in fully comprehend, let alone empathize with. Hence, the focus of this particular feature, which assess movies that not only feature a female as its major character, but also explore distinctly feminine issues and themes from either biological, social, psychological, or political viewpoints. Pregnancy, maternal instinct, sexism, and dynamic in female relationship are among the themes prevalent in those movies, and to put them in spotlight is my tribute to the God's creatures that may occasionally confuse and aggravate me, but also ones I often adore and deeply respect.