The Duvernay Test is a film evaluation tool based off the Bechdel Test, created by American film director Ava Duvernay to focus on the way women are represented in Hollywood films. The test is a simple three-pronged evaluation: A movie must have (1) two female characters of color and diverse background, (2) who talk to each other, (3) about something other than a man. The test was created to combat the lack of representation of women in Hollywood films, but it has also become a tool for movie fans and movie makers to evaluate films for their representation of women on and off-screen.
History of the Duvernay Test
The Duvernay Test was created by Ava Duvernay, an American film director, producer, and screenwriter who has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and representation in Hollywood films. Duvernay first developed the test in 2015 as an extension of the Bechdel Test, which was originally developed by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985. The Bechdel Test requires a movie to have (1) two named female characters, (2) who talk to each other, and (3) about something other than a man. This test was created to evaluate films for their representation of female characters and storylines, which is often lacking in Hollywood films.
Duvernay expanded upon the Bechdel Test with her own evaluation tool, which requires a movie to have two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. This further emphasizes the need for films to have meaningful conversations between female characters that are not centered around male characters or their relationships with them. This test is meant to highlight films that pass the Bechdel Test but still lack meaningful conversations between female characters.
Movies That Pass The Duvernay Test
There are many films that pass the Duvernay Test, including “Hidden Figures” (2016), “The Favourite” (2018), and “Lady Bird” (2017). “Hidden Figures” is a biopic about the African-American women who worked at NASA during the Space Race in the 1960s. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae as the three main characters, who have meaningful conversations about their work, their ambitions, and their relationships with each other. “The Favourite” is a British period drama starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz as three women vying for the affections of Queen Anne. The film focuses on their relationships with each other and their political power plays, rather than their relationships with men. “Lady Bird” is an American coming-of-age comedy-drama about a high school senior and her tumultuous relationship with her mother. The two characters have a number of meaningful conversations about their hopes and dreams, their struggles, and their relationship with each other.
Famous Actors Starring in Movies That Pass the Duvernay Test
Many famous actors have starred in movies that pass the Duvernay Test, including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz. Henson is best known for her roles in “Hidden Figures” and “Empire”, Spencer for her roles in “The Help” and “Hidden Figures”, Monae for her roles in “Hidden Figures” and “Moonlight”, Colman for her roles in “The Favourite” and “The Crown”, Stone for her roles in “The Favourite” and “La La Land”, and Weisz for her roles in “The Favourite” and “The Mummy”.
How the Duvernay Test Is Used by Movie Fans and Movie Makers
The Duvernay Test has become a tool for movie fans to evaluate films for their representation of women on and off-screen. It is also used by movie makers to ensure that their films are accurately portraying female characters and storylines. Many filmmakers are now striving to make sure their films pass the Duvernay Test, as it has become a marker of quality representation in Hollywood films.
In addition, the Duvernay Test has become a tool for movie fans to measure the success of certain films or franchises. For example, the “Star Wars” franchise has been criticized for its lack of representation of female characters, but the most recent installment, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017), passed the Duvernay Test. This has led to a renewed interest in the franchise and a greater focus on representation of women in future “Star Wars” films.
The Duvernay Test has also become a tool for movie fans to evaluate films for their representation of women on and off-screen. For example, the 2017 film “Wonder Woman” was praised for its female-led cast, with Gal Gadot in the title role, Robin Wright as General Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta. The film also passes the Duvernay Test, as the two main female characters have a number of meaningful conversations about their beliefs, goals, and relationships with each other.
Conclusion
The Duvernay Test is a film evaluation tool created by American film director Ava Duvernay to focus on the way women are represented in Hollywood films. The test is a simple three-pronged evaluation: A movie must have two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. The test has become a tool for movie fans and movie makers to evaluate films for their representation of women on and off-screen, and has sparked an increased focus on representation in Hollywood films. There are many films that pass the Duvernay Test, including “Hidden Figures”, “The Favourite”, and “Lady Bird”, and there are many famous actors starring in these films, such as Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone. The Duvernay Test has become an important tool for movie fans and movie makers to evaluate films for their representation of women, and it is an important step forward for Hollywood’s focus on representation.