Natalie Portman attacks Hollywood's 'macho' women characters

[ismnotwasm]

Ok fine--she has a very valid point but I still loves me some Beatrice Kiddo from Kill Bill, Ridley from the alien franchise, Alice from resident evil and Luz from Machete (Jessica alba as Sartana--meh)

The Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman has criticised Hollywood's misguided approach to feminism, portraying women as one-dimensional characters who might be able to 'kick ass', but sadly lack any other personality traits.

In an interview with Elle, to be published next month, she said: "The fallacy in Hollywood is that if you're making a 'feminist' story, the woman kicks ass and wins.

"That's not feminist, that's macho. A movie about a weak, vulnerable woman can be feminist if it shows a real person that we can emphasise with."

Portman has played numerous all-action characters in films such as the Star Wars prequels, Thor and V for Vendetta.

Her comments may have been directed at Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft and Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow. Both characters, featured in the Tomb Raider and Avengers franchises respectively, have won legions of fans for their uncompromising attitude.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/natalie-portman-attacks-hollywoods-macho-women-characters-8849084.html

[seabeyond]

1. ya, well. was my attack on tattoo girl. just cause she kicked ass did not mean ANYTHING in that

book was feminism

the opposite.

but a lot of people used the reasoning of the ability to hurt another person allowing her to be empowered, ergo, feminism.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Still haven't read that

I watched the movie--not my cup of tea, and I have the first book but I just find other things to read.

I know you've used this as an example many times, and I think you we're kind of influential on me about it--how about that? I've read other books that tackle the topic without graphic imagery, in fact they deal with the aftermath of rape rather than the act of rape itself.

In Kill Bill which is essentially a cartoon-like revenge movie, Kiddo is raped, it's never shown, she kills the asshole in a most satisfying way then goes after her real targets.

Ridley of course becomes a "mother" to a new Alien species, and prefers to die rather than subject herself to that by the end of the franchise

Alice is basically a droid, but in one disturbing sequel, her body is replicated multiple times--she finds a mass grave with these other versions of herself--the disposable woman

Machete is simply a guilty pleasure of mine, but I appreciate how the real Latina heroine does NOT get killed in it.

A good horror movie that deals with stereotypes in a tongue in cheek kind of way is "Cabin in the Woods"

[seabeyond]

5. interesting. kill bill is not the type of movie i watch, but i did with hubby. a very good film

and not glorifying the rape but certainly showing her awesomeness in strength. though weakness as in the caring for others that betray, she remained basically strong.

this tattoo one is everything weak, glorified as strength. and nothing more than a male fantasy.

i read so much. and the tone of the book makes all the difference if it is a male fantasy or a story of empowerment. for me it is so easy to feel.

i get a lot fo books on kindle. the free ones. often bad ones, lol. periodically i will get duped on a christian book. they are horrible in their presentation of rape. it is in every one of their bokks, kinda like every eastwood movie has a rape or almost rape and eastwood to save or revenge. but, they shake their head knowingly, what she has gone thru.... reads the books. the male characters taking center role. just eeeew.

i am gonna check out cabin in the woods.

so, having seeing the movie tattoo girl, how did you perceive it. curious with your perception. did it come off on a graphic porn piece for sexual gratification, ultimately. or a true and necessary part of the movie?

[ismnotwasm]

6. It was ok

The rape scenes we're ineffective because the movie wasn't good enough to portray the horror of rape, and the revenge rape was just a SMBD scene. In fact both graphic rapes were when I think about it.

When I like a movie or a book or even graphic novels, I always watch or read them more than once, Tattoo kind of faded from my consciousness so it just didn't do much for me. I understand the books are good, more complex, but I made the mistake of watching the movie--I'll probably never read the book it's so far down on my list now.

I don't read anything Christian that's a fictional novel--usually makes me irritated. but I have read the bible cover to cover--several times. Did you know many people find that odd? Christian people even? I'm like, well it's your faith why wouldn't you read it? They usually say they went to Sunday school or bible camp or bible studies or listen in church, but they don't sit down and do a cover to cover. Huh.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. one-dimensional characters who might be able to 'kick ass'...

Doesn't that just describe Hollywood action movies in general: regardless of gender?

[ismnotwasm]

4. True

But we're describing ones that might be described as "feminist" Portman is saying that it doesn't have to be a prerequisite for 'feminist' female characters to kick ass

[redqueen]

7. Ugh Natalie noooooooo... "macho"? Really? Being physically strong and unwilling to be defeated

is a manly thing?



The lazy use of these gendered words ... *sigh*


That said, I get what she's trying to say and I agree. Women are human and we deserve to be portrayed that way in the media.

I love this part:

"I love being a mum, but it's much more intensive work than being an actress; going to work feels like you've got a day off," she said.

"Not that I want a day off from being a mum, it's just perhaps I had this impression that mums don't work. But they work more than anyone."

[geek tragedy]

8. It's one area where Hollywood has gone backwards.

Sarah Connor (incl the tv show)
Ripley
Thelma and Louise

were women who kicked ass but were developed as women characters.

[Dash87]

9. I love Hollywood's approach -

"Let's make women characters more believable by making them like one-dimensional male characters! It makes perfect sense!"

Isn't the problem also that male "hero" characters are often infallible and emotionally 'perfect.' They have no weaknesses. It's two unrealistic extremes. They can just run around blowing everything up and shooting everybody while the scared "damsel in distress" screams in the background.

I'm not a fan of stupid, 1D "shoot-em up" movies. They're often too cheesy to watch. I like at least some attempt at character development, not "I'm a macho bad ass who has to go save my meek girlfriend before they kill her!"