Are things going backwards in terms of the representation of women in films/TV?

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Was watching a film called "A Foreign Affair" the other day, made in 1948. It follows a congresswoman visiting Berlin after the war as part of a committee. She was the main character, and (as well as the love story element) it was about her professionalism, and how she developed and changed her views throughout the film.

I was a bit shocked to realise that I couldn't think of another film about a female politician made since.

So are some things actually going backwards in terms of how women are depicted? Another of my favourites from a similar era is "His Girl Friday" about a female journalist.

Why were these films being made then, and not being made any more?

Or are there better modern films I should be picking up on?

The Princess and the Frog? I know there's a love story and it's Disney, but I've told DD it's the only Disney princess to aspire to. She works hard, dreams of having her own business, her mother works too, she does marry a prince but he is penniless and ends up working with/for her.

Going back a few years now, but I thought the various "Prime Suspect" series were very good.

oh YES Lurcio I forgot about Ginormica (always forget to include "superhero" in my job searches as well) - reminds me of this which has the line: "I like giants, especially girl giants, cos all girls feel too big sometimes regardless of their size".

Lurcio, you're entirely wrong about A Few Good Men.

The music, the advertising, the trailer all make it seem that Demi Moore and Tom Cruise are equals, but in actual fact he undermines her in almost every scene they're in together. She ALWAYS comes off stupider, and he's smug Tom Cruise-like.

Drives me mad.

And there IS sexual subtext between them; it's one of the ways he toys with her.

ooh, you should all read Backlash, she talks a lot about this. Yes, things absolutely slide back, just when women thing they're getting somewhere.

I like Chocolat. Single mother, travels about like a nomad, sets up her own business in the village, takes in a DV victim and gives her a job, has random sex with Johnny Depp (who is younger than her) ... ahh, bliss

yes Terminator 2, loved that!

TV has some excellent female characters.

Nikita.
Dr Cuddy in House.
Dr Temperance Brennan in Bones
Col. Samantha Carter in Stargate.
Dr. Janet Frazier, Stargate again.
Captain Katherine Janeway from Voyager.
Penelope Garcia from Criminal minds.
All the women in Wareouse 13, ditto CSI.

You're obviously watching the wrong stuff, not nearly enough Sci-fi or crime/medical drama.

Interestingly they are all American too.

why is toy story bad? I always thought it was quite good as there is no dad around...makes a change to the usual perfect 2 parent families represented.

I like the women in CSI, I can pick my way between the "sexy" female corpses for them. And Law & Order. Obviously need to watch more sci-fi though :)

Cuddy in House always seems to be failing to do her job because she is obstructed by her massive sexual attraction to Dr House.

I liked the West Wing for this as well, especially CJ, but other than her few of the storylines were actually about the female characters doing their jobs. Women featured but mainly on the sidelines IIRC.

SGM - I watch all those shows too. CSI original has brought in Lawrence Fishburne and although Kathryn is the team leader (taken over from Gil) all the focus is on Fishburne.

Watched part of Question Time last night and once again only 2 women and 3 men on the panel (and then Dimbleby - the elderly gravitas required by formula). Has anyone ever seen the programme with more women than men on it?

Oh yes - always liked that! Very clever and thoughtful.