Beyond Bechdel

It's often the driving force behind plot, but female trauma isn't often truthfully depicted on screen. This is becoming a problem.

Contrarah speaks to trauma expert Dr Karen O'Donnell about the stages in trauma presentation and resolving, and how directors are spreading misinformation with dicey narrative decisions (e.g. I've suffered sexual assault I must go and have sex with someone else immediately!)

It's not all bad news, with television (mostly) exploring the issue with sensitivity, particularly in Stranger Things and Call The Midwife.

Learn about Dr Karen here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/codec/who/karenodonnell/

Buy her book here: https://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334056249/broken-bodies …

And let's have more talk about periods. Period.

It's often the driving force behind plot, but female trauma isn't often truthfully depicted on screen. This is becoming a problem.

Contrarah speaks to trauma expert Dr Karen O'Donnell about the stages in trauma presentation and resolving, and how directors are spreading misinformation with dicey narrative decisions (e.g. I've suffered sexual assault I must go and have sex with someone else immediately!)

It's not all bad news, with television (mostly) exploring the issue with sensitivity, particularly in Stranger Things and Call The Midwife.

Learn about Dr Karen here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/codec/who/karenodonnell/

Buy her book here: https://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334056249/broken-bodies …

And let's have more talk about periods. Period.

This 'Bit Beyond' celebrates the latest outing of everyone's favourite double-gun-toting treasure hunter.

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft's motivation, inner conflict and aggression are explored as never before. Probably because of the amazing work from the game's lead writer - Jill Murray.

Lara jumps impossibly far, hangs from the thinnest crevice, uses that bow to deadly effect and has multiple conversations with female characters about important matters like, oh you know, the destruction of the world and the Lara-caused apocalypse.

This one's for the players - and the girls.

We all love to watch performers, but very few of us know what it's like to be one. Helen Hamer knows, and she tells Contrarah exactly what it's like to work in the performing arts.

Helen discusses her journey from getting in to a prestigious drama school through to navigating the real-life casting process, and how much gender factors into every actress's career.

Then Helen discusses playwriting and musical roles for women throughout history before showing a slew of recent movies that pass her new 'Beyond Bechdel' test.

For hiring Helen please contact Rowe Associates.

To chat to her directly, you can find her at https://twitter.com/Hamer_Helen

Oh baby I love your way!

According to a recent American study, for every 1 female critic there are 3.5 male critics.

Just to compare, in terms of world population, for every 1 female there are 1.2 males.

We speak to Bianca Garner - who is a critic and a woman, about why there is such a large gender discrepancy and what we can do to change it. Her solution involves David Bowie and Nicolas Cage....sort of.

Read Bianca's work at filmotomy.com and cc2konline.com/

Talk about film with her at https://twitter.com/thefilmbee

And you're all babes!

This episode is about a common misconception in cinema, that men and women want different things. Studios are still dividing movies this way, an outdated practice.

We speak to Just Jen, a film writer who works in TV production about what makes a great movie. Jen doesn't believe in gender division, she chooses what to watch much like you do.

We discuss how filmmakers entice viewers, the role of stereotyping, whether race is a factor and what exactly it is about Tom Cruise movies that rev Jen's motor.

A quick warning: the sound isn't perfect, thanks for bearing with us.

You can find Jen on twitter https://twitter.com/JustJen_02

and her writing here: https://justjensreviews.wordpress.com/

Don't forget...I'm the bitch with the gun!

When you hear the words “it is a truth universally acknowledged…” can you immediately finish the sentence?

If you answered YES then this is the podcast episode for you.

Contrarah and Nick delve deep into the BBC’s 1995 TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with a jolly thorough look at the classic six-parter.

We discuss whether our feelings towards this version have changed in recent years and why viewers are still obsessed with the rules of upper class english society from the 1800s. Are some of these rules still in force today?

Finally, Contrarah makes a case for Mrs Bennet as misunderstood literary heroine. We're not sure that Nick was convinced. But can she convince you? If so, please rate an review the podcast wherever you listen.

Capital. Capital I say!

Contrarah's latest mini-pod tells tales of the cinematic archive and the often depressing lack of inclusivity in past movies...with some light at the end of the tunnel for Asian stars and audiences.

With thanks to

The Annenburg Inclusion Initiative's Inequality study: http://assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/inequality-in-1100-popular-films.pdf

Michelle La interview from Popcorn Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxJLJp9h6c

The Meg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYXExfKhmo

and Bobby Darin

Just keep swimming!

This episode includes a very funny discussion with Courtney Hodgkiss, a writer, journalist and wannabe-comic who has in-depth knowledge of the music and comedy industries.

Courtney is witty, bright and savvy; she also self-identifies as disabled, battling a chronic form of Crohn's disease. Her condition doesn't stop her, and is instead the impetus for her pursuit of a comedy career. She is inspirational, taking us through a smorgasbord of modern comedians - which offers something for everyone.

Read Courtney's blog here: https://fork-in-the-toaster.blogspot.com/

Learn more about Crohn's Disease here: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-inflammatory-bowel-disease/crohns-disease

Contact us: @Beyond_Bechdel or [email protected]

Enjoy funny women, because they're everywhere.

Anne V Coates was a veteran of Hollywood film editing, making her way from leafy Surrey to Hollywood via the Arabian desert. She had first-rate skills and a phenomenal career.

We celebrate her life and work in this episode.

Some ace footage of chinagraph film marking can be found here: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/1940s-close-up-hands-of-man-editing-film-on-stock-video-footage/670-83

The match match cut can be found here: https://vimeo.com/52693433

Did you come to tussle? Tuffy came to tussle.