Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

What are you watching & reading? Will you do the Beshdel Test on it?

211 replies

Seabright · 24/01/2013 23:32

I have been trying to apply the Beshdel Test to what I've been watching lately.

The wiki entry in the link above explains more, but basically to pass the Beshdel Test a work of fiction must have:

A) At least two female characters
B) Who Talk to each other
C) About something other than a man

This evening I have watched:

  1. Rizzoli & Isles - pass, just
  2. The Good Wife - pass

And I'm reading an Ian Rankin novel at the moment (yes, my choice of tv and books is pretty limited - crime & murder!) which so far fails, but I'm only part way through.

OP posts:
porridgeLover · 27/01/2013 23:12

Very lightweight addition to the thread. I watched Brave on DVD with DS and DDs. We loved it and I was happy for DDs that they can see girl characters who are self directed, and powerful in their own right.

I think I am right in saying it passes.

coldcupoftea · 27/01/2013 22:58

Just read 'The Casual Vacancy' by JK Rowling- it passes but only just tbh, I had to rack my brains to rember a conversation between 2 women that wasn't about a man, despite the fact there are a lot of female characters.

CaseyShraeger · 27/01/2013 22:51

That's not the point, though, discorabbit - it's that most mainstream culture, the stuff that makes the money and lots of people see and that has the studios thinking "Hey, let's churn out another dozen films like that" doesn't tick the boxes. Very very few commercial movies ever have a lack of male characters talking to each other about a range of subjects, but it's perfectly routine where female characters are concerned, to the extent that you only really notice it if you're specifically looking for it (as per the bloody Bechdel Test). The default is for any given character to be male unless there's a particular reason it has to be female.

TunipTheVegedude · 27/01/2013 22:44

Bring Up The Bodies.

ok it fails but I can't really blame Mantel for that given the subject matter.

EduCated · 27/01/2013 22:41

Really Disco? Because I struggle to find them, at least mainstream films, anyway. It's still an interesting way of looking at films and books.

holmessweetholmes · 27/01/2013 22:32

Watched Master and Commander last night. Complete fail. Barely a woman in it, and those few didn't have speaking parts at all. I love the film though.

tigerdriverII · 27/01/2013 21:35

Reading one of the Wallander books. It fails. But I'm still enjoying it.

NotGoodNotBad · 27/01/2013 21:33

Dr Dolittle - so far (and we've nearly finished watching it), one female main role and a couple of minor parts. Unless things like "Won't you come in?" count it definitely fails.

SingySongy · 27/01/2013 21:23

I'm reading The Night Circus. So far about a quarter of the way through, and it doesn't pass. Will read on with interest.

I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer last week. Don't think that passes either.

discorabbit · 27/01/2013 21:20

oh the bloody beshdel test, only on mn is this hauled out every month or so.

if you know where to look for good intelligent films, the items set out in the op aren't relevant at all, as there are tons of films released that tick all the boxes all the time!

piprabbit · 27/01/2013 21:16

I am watching Keeping up with the Kardashians. It does pass - they are discussing mother's business empire at the moment.

sayanything · 27/01/2013 21:15

I'm watching the first season of The Killing - so far, it passes. I'm trying to read Elizabeth George's latest and I think it passes, but I keep falling asleep every couple of pages, so don't quote me on this one.

LineRunner · 27/01/2013 21:14

Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. Failing so far.

Rufus43 · 27/01/2013 21:11

Watching a film called Just my luck.... With so far lots of women in successful careers and not talking about men ( although that is about to change as it's a rom com). Reading David Starkeys Six Wives, not sure if that works!

bran · 27/01/2013 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EduCated · 27/01/2013 20:49

Watching Call the Midwife. Fairly easy pass.

SucksToBeMe · 27/01/2013 20:49

Bill Bryson. A short history in nearly everything. Fail

Telly is switched off as I'm trying to get DS to bed. Fail

fluffywhitekittens · 27/01/2013 20:46

Watching "Fringe". Pass

FrothyDragon · 27/01/2013 20:41

Reading The Man In The Iron Mask, by Alexandre Dumas. Fails miserably.

CaseyShraeger · 27/01/2013 00:38

Tucker and Dave vs Evil passes.

joanofarchitrave · 27/01/2013 00:16

Diega I was thinking about Mantel's work and this thread last night, and was suprised that I didn't think Greater Safety or Wolf Hall would pass. I think Beyond Black would probably pass, but (despite the fact I thought it was amazing) have no intention of reading it again so can't be sure. I wonder, though.

How many Booker winners pass...?

ouryve · 25/01/2013 23:20

Newsnight sometimes fails drastically, though. There's been times I've turned on and a topic which affects men and women equally is being discussed by a panel of predominantly grey haired men.

kim147 · 25/01/2013 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Seabright · 25/01/2013 22:58

Newsnight (I know it's not fiction): Pass-o-Rama!

Emily Maitiss hosting, two female experts & 1 male political, who Emily (rightly) seems to think is a pollock. Now seeing a female Malian musician.

OP posts:
Greythorne · 25/01/2013 22:52

I am watching an old episode of ER. It passes multiply!

Carrie and Hathaway discuss Hathaway going to Med School.

Doyle and Hathaway discuss their professional rivalry.

Jeannie discusses Suicide with a patient with HIV.

Hathaway and Haleh talk about her being a nurse.

Multiple pass. I think ER would pass 7 out of 10 episodes. Will check and report back.