The Bechdel Test is a simple, three-part test designed to measure the representation of women in movies. The test was created by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985 and has since grown to become a popular method of assessing the diversity and balance of female characters in films. The Bechdel Test has been used by film fans and filmmakers alike to evaluate the representation of women in movies, and to determine which films pass the test and which fail. In this article, we will explore the history and purpose of the Bechdel Test, examine some examples of movies that pass the test, and discuss the impact it has had on the movie industry.
History of the Bechdel Test
The Bechdel Test was first introduced in 1985 in Bechdel’s comic strip, “Dykes to Watch Out For.” The comic strip featured two women discussing the movie they had just seen and one of them pointing out that the movie had failed the Bechdel Test. In the comic strip, Bechdel explained the Bechdel Test as “a test to see if a movie has two women in it who talk to each other about something other than a man.”
The Bechdel Test quickly gained popularity among movie fans and soon became a popular tool used to evaluate the representation of women in films. Since its introduction in 1985, the Bechdel Test has been used to both assess the representation of women in movies and to encourage filmmakers to create more balanced and diverse movies.
Why the Bechdel Test Was Created
Alison Bechdel created the Bechdel Test in response to the lack of representation of women in movies. In her comic strip, she pointed out that most movies fail the test, indicating that women are often relegated to minor roles or are portrayed as objects of male attention in Hollywood films. Bechdel wanted to draw attention to this issue and encourage filmmakers to create more balanced and diverse movies that featured strong female characters.
Examples of Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test
Fortunately, there are a growing number of movies that pass the Bechdel Test. Some examples of movies that pass the test include:
* Wonder Woman (2017) starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine
* Hidden Figures (2016) starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae
* Lady Bird (2017) starring Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf
* The Favourite (2018) starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz
Famous Actors in Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test
Many famous actors have starred in movies that pass the Bechdel Test. Some of these actors include:
* Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)
* Chris Pine (Wonder Woman)
* Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures)
* Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures)
* Janelle Monae (Hidden Figures)
* Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird)
* Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird)
* Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
* Emma Stone (The Favourite)
* Rachel Weisz (The Favourite)
How the Bechdel Test is Used by Movie Fans and Movie Makers
The Bechdel Test has become a popular tool used by movie fans and filmmakers alike to evaluate the representation of women in films. Movie fans often use the test to determine which movies pass the test and which fail, as well as to assess the diversity and balance of female characters in films.
For filmmakers, the Bechdel Test has become an important tool for creating more balanced and diverse movies. Filmmakers now often use the test as a guide when creating characters and storylines in order to ensure that their films pass the test and feature strong female characters.
Conclusion
The Bechdel Test is a simple, three-part test designed to measure the representation of women in movies. The test was created by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985 and has since grown to become a popular method of assessing the diversity and balance of female characters in films. The Bechdel Test has been used by film fans and filmmakers alike to both evaluate the representation of women in movies and to encourage filmmakers to create more balanced and diverse movies. Examples of movies that pass the test include Wonder Woman, Hidden Figures, Lady Bird, and The Favourite, and many famous actors have starred in movies that pass the test. The Bechdel Test has become an important tool for both movie fans and filmmakers, and its continued use is helping to ensure that movies feature strong female characters and provide more balanced and diverse representation of women in films.