Women and Power: Amazons in Contemporary Young Adult Film

Amazons are a female symbol that appears in art and literature, contributing to the construction of an imaginary of mythical and warrior women that has fed many popular culture products, most often from a patriarchal and/or phallic point of view. Nevertheless, we can observe the existence of some ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: María Isabel Menéndez Menéndez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2017-12-01
Series:Investigaciones Feministas
Subjects:
Online Access:http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/INFE/article/view/54879
Description
Summary:Amazons are a female symbol that appears in art and literature, contributing to the construction of an imaginary of mythical and warrior women that has fed many popular culture products, most often from a patriarchal and/or phallic point of view. Nevertheless, we can observe the existence of some mainstream products that subvert this representation, elaborating a positive and emancipatory heroic profile. This paper provides an analysis of two recent works addressed at young adults: the animated movie <em>Brave </em>(Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, 2012) and <em>The Hunger Games</em> film saga (Gary Ross, 2012; Francis Lawrence, 2013, 2014, and 2015). In both cases there exists an unquestionable female centrality which, seen from a feminist standpoint, offers an alternative to most characters in the audiovisual industry, defined by sexism and subordination to the male. In this respect, both Merida and Katniss are presented as independent heroines with their own personality and agency.
ISSN:2171-6080