Another female-driven movie seems to be under development, this time as a continuation of the "Ocean’s 11" universe. After the release of a cast list, supposedly involving Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, Nora Lum and Helena Bonham-Carter, it seems that a new onslaught of criticism accuses the movie either of promoting sexism against men or for not being a feminist triumph because it doesn’t promote true change in the movie industry.
I was immediately excited when I saw the news. When I watched "Ocean’s 11" with my family, I loved the movie and, though I haven’t been able to watch the others, I am excited to see more for the universe, particularly something involving more women.
However, the arguments and comments that this trend of female-driven spin-offs is, at best, juvenile, and, at worst, harmful to men, are indications that this is still something ground-breaking, something that indicates change, even if it is seemingly insignificant.
I completely understand how this spin-off can be seen as a false victory of sorts, that there is change in representation, but not in leading and creating. Tossing another movie with amazing women as leads might seem like a trivial change in the movie industry, seeing as it isn’t altering the structure of the business. If it was entirely trivial, however, there wouldn’t be this much backlash. Men (and women) wouldn’t be contributing to the hashtag #FeministAMovie. People wouldn’t be writing articles that comment on how it is a “‘risky move.’” People wouldn’t be acting offended if it wasn’t somehow meaningful to the feminist movement.
It is astounding that people can see all of this hate and anger and annoyance and still think that this is somehow worthless. Yes, it doesn’t try to open positions for women as writers, producers or directors, but it puts women in the spotlight as something other than characters significant only for their relationships with men. If female representation was no longer an issue, people wouldn't react like this. It’s a step forward, even if it is small. More change needs to happen, certainly, but I don’t think we should snub lesser change unless it somehow prevents further development or somehow harms women or men.
Of course, it shouldn’t be hailed as a feminist spin-off if it encourages and portrays gendered stereotypes that are toxic (such as those that prohibit men from crying because it isn’t “manly”). I can’t argue that this spin-off will be feminist, that it will not play into the gender stereotypes feminism seeks to demolish. I can, however, say that a step towards allowing some kind of equality — wherein a film starring mostly men do “manly” things can be continued with mostly women doing “manly” things — is a step we should not take for granted.
This is just my initial reaction to other people’s reactions to the release of a potential actress list. For all I know, the script is horrible and the movie might be terribly misogynistic. I might watch it and hate it. Bonham Carter says the script is good and that women will appreciate it. I also heard the actors of the Percy Jackson movie tell me that it stuck closely to the book (and look how that turned out). I’m not terribly trusting, but I am hopeful and I am excited to see this movie.
