Strong Female Character: What Movies Teach Us
£11.90£12.30 (-3%)
‘One of the smartest pop culture commentators out there.’ Toby Moses, Guardian
The leading film critic of her generation offers an eloquent, insightful and humorous reflection on the screen’s representation of women and ethnic minorities, revealing how cinema has been the key to understanding herself, her body image and her ambitions as well as the world we live in.
A staunch feminist of mixed-race heritage, Hanna has succeeded in an industry not designed for people like her. She interweaves anecdotes from familial and personal experiences – from episodes of messy sex and introspection to the time when actor Vincent D’Onofrio tweeted that Hanna Flint sounded ‘like a secret agent’ – to offer a critical eye on the screen’s representation of women and ethnic minorities. Divided into sections ‘Origin Story’, ‘Coming of Age’, ‘Adult Material’, ‘Workplace Drama’ and ‘Strong Female Character’, the book ponders how the creative industries could better reflect our multicultural society.
Warm, funny and engaging and full of film-infused lessons, Strong Female Character will appeal to readers of all backgrounds and seeks to help us better see ourselves in our own eyes rather than letting others decide who and what we can be.
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Footnote Press (29 Sept. 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 336 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1804440000 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1804440001 |
| Dimensions | 13.46 x 2.54 x 21.59 cm |
by “leilami”
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book that was going to be part bio part film analysis but the result was absolutely brilliant read. Not only were the stories from her life engrossing but by relating it through films serve us it made me change the way I think about films. I’ve always loved movies but now realise how much they’ve also formed a part of my identity. Genuinely cant stop thinking about this one!
by Amazon Customer
Very surprised after reading this book that the author seems to work in the film industry. Hint: they really shouldn’t. They also try to use humour throughout in a sorry attempt to keep the reader engaged. Highly recommend you don’t waste your money on this.
by Ms Jenny Campbell
Hanna Flint is a London-based critic, journalist and host who has been covering film and culture for nearly a decade. In this book she combines memoir with critical theory and reflects on how cinema has been the key to understanding herself and the world we live in. I found this title a very enjoyable and fast read despite not being of her millennial generation,
by Nicholas Metzgen
Such an incredible book about movies that have changed our lives. Beautifully written and open my eyes on views of the world I haven’t witnessed before. I recommend for every people of every gender who wants to learn how movies have sculpted views on women ( and women of colour).
by JCC
I have loved Hanna’s critique of films through her podcast Fade to Black (check it out, if you don’t know it, all three presenters are super), so was curious to know more through her book.
In Strong Female Character, Hanna gives an insightful, educational and entertaining exploration of women in media.
She skilfully celebrates the depth, diversity, and complexity of female characters, challenging stereotypes and pushing the boundaries of representation, while giving personal insight into her own story and relationship to film, culture and wider society.
A must-read for anyone passionate about progressive storytelling and gender dynamics in cinema. Do it!
by Claire Estelle
I would say this book is very much an autobiography, using the author’s extensive knowledge of film to illustrate the challenging way that women and especially ethnic minority women are portrayed in our culture. Some parts are easier to read than others, especially if you relate to the trauma of periods starting at inconvenient times and the often awful way that first experiences of sex are for most women. I enjoyed her intellectual questioning of film tropes and narrative structures and the subtle way she points out, that quite a few people responsible for making so many misogynist films, have now been called out for their abusive behaviour off screen. A fascinating and important book.
by Emma
I wish this was around as when I was studying. A wonderful selection of essays I’m sure to refer back to time and time again.