Critical Investigation - Introduction

"A fighter, a killer, a survivor, she fights boys, and even rescues boys." - Samantha Ellis

To what extent do films like the 'The Hunger Games' films prove that gender stereotypes are being increasingly subverted in the film industry?

The issue of gender inequality has long been debated in the media, especially in regards to how genders are represented in film. Through the years, it has become common knowledge, to some extent even the status quo that female characters in film have specific roles with specific criteria that audiences expect them to follow, based on the fact that they are female. To support this particular argument, one historical text that this investigation will focus on is Disney's first feature film, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' from 1937, as throughout the entire film, the eponymous character encompasses every female stereotype that society reinforces. However, as much as this film suggests that gender stereotypes are not being subverted, my main argument, supported by my primary text, is that as time goes on, gender representations are evolving to the point where they are indeed being increasingly subverted, subversion that has been maintained and successfully publicised by the 'The Hunger Games' films. Throughout the four films, Katniss Everdeen the protagonist exhibits not just behaviour but a personality that ordinarily would be strongly associated with men. In her 2016 book 'Hunting Girls', Kelly Oliver says that "our prepubescent protagonist, a tough no-nonsense teenager, is more comfortable wearing hunting clothes and boots than a prom dress and heels", as would generally be expected. These are clear examples of how over time, female characters have successfully subverted the gender stereotypes they've been labelled with and we're seeing growing numbers of films doing the same thing, however in terms of male characters, the same cannot be said. In 1962, 'Dr No' was released and James Bond was a strong, attractive man whose role was to defeat the villain and seduce the girl. In 2015, 'Spectre' was released and James Bond was still a strong, attractive man whose role was to defeat the villain and seduce the girl. However, in 2000, after twenty one appearances from an unchanging James Bond, Stephen Daldry released 'Billy Elliot', the story of an eleven year old boy in 1980s County Durham who, while attending boxing classes, dreams of being a ballet dancer. This highly contrasting gender role is a perfect example of how producers are attempting to do what has been done for female characters for male characters too.