‘ts New Ratings System Challenges Sexism in Films Laura Mooney Arts Editor Ames: cinemas across a number of cities in Sweden are breaking molds and challenging the typical film ratings standards by implementing a system that determines whether a film is considered sexist or not, and, unfortunately, not many of our beloved Hollywood blockbusters are passing the test. The new standards use a system called the Bechdel test, which is a basis for testing whether a work of art leans towards gender bias, which was created in 1985. The new system takes the original idea put forth by the Bechdel test and expands on it even further to show just how much gender bias is present in not only the film we view today, but also the films created over the whole span of the film industry’s existence. The ratings’ system asks three basic questions about a film. Does it have at least two named women? Do they talk to each other at some point in the film? And do the talk about something other than a man? The cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, and Malmo, with praise from the Swedish Film Institute, have already introduced this new ratings’ system to members of the public and have implemented it in the cities art- house cinemas. These cinemas have agreed to only show films that meet the standards of the Bechdel test, and refuse those that go against them. So far some of the films included have been The Hunger Games, Savages, and The Iron Lady, all of which feature strong female leads in powerful positions. While this new system may not catch on around the world in larger theatres, it does open the movie- going public’s eyes to gender bias and exactly how much of it is really occurring in the hit films we watch. Many favourites such as the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings series did not pass these new ratings, as well as many classics such as Pulp Fiction and Good Will Hunting. Even the Harry Potter series only had one film that would pass the Bechdel test. This points out that the majority of our favourite or iE [LOM The World's End Laura Mooney Arts Editor rinking, evil robot aliens, hilarious Brits, and more drinking, what else could you wish for in a film? The comedic duo consisting of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) are back in yet another original buddy comedy with a twist in The World’s End. Without giving too much away, The World’s End essentially follows Gary King (Pegg), as he organizes the reunion of his high school friends to finish a quest to have a pint at all twelve pubs in their small hometown. Unfortunately, their mission goes awry when they run into some unexpected, otherworldly obstacles. Just like with their preceding films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, the comedic geniuses of Pegg and Frost are always showcased best when they are working together, and, combined with director Edgar Wright, the result is always unique and crazy, but yet with a wonderful message about friendship. While the bones of The World’s End may be the same as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, the story could not be further from the others, with one of the main differences being the roles played by each actor. Pegg is known for playing his usual uptight, righteous characters, and Frost the slovenly slacker. This time the duo switches roles with Pegg playing a nearly psychotic, chain smoking, cocaine snorting, societal reject whose lot in life is to get drunk and be as offensive as possible, while Frost, on the other blockbusters are male dominated and leads to the question, what about the women? However, while the test does point out the male dominance of the film industry, one major flaw in the system still remains, and that is the fact that the system measures a film’s gender bias strictly by these standards, and in no way takes into account if the females in the films are stereotypical or are presented in a negative way. So although the Bechdel test is supposed to measure gender bias, it cannot tell ifa film is feminist, or if it highlights women in a positive light. For example, even the German film Run Lola Run, which is known for its strong female lead and feminist undertones, does not pass the Bechdel test standards. While the Bechdel test is still only popular in theatres in Sweden, it still raises questions about what we watch when we go to the movies. While 50 percent of the movie- going public is female, only 10 The World's End} hand, plays the prim and proper pal of the group. This unexpected role switch is a refreshing addition to the type-casted characters that Pegg and Frost seem to have been fitted into, and add a nice element to the film. The World’s End also features other great British talents like Martin Freeman, from Sherlock and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and an excellent cameo from Pierce Brosnan. Their appearances are a welcome addition to the film, and their unique performances only add to its hilarity. Even though the percent of films feature a strong female lead. Is it because we prefer to see a male in the lead role? Or perhaps it is because of gender roles which have been around for ages? Either way, the experiment in Sweden is opening the public’s eyes to hidden biases in films not thought to possess them before. Only the future will tell, however, if these new findings will change the way people choose which movies they see, but even if the test-approved films only remain in art-house theatres, the fact that these new observations have now been brought to the general public is a step forward in stopping gender biases in popular films today. For more information, CBC did an extensive interview about Sweden’s Bechdel standards, which is available to stream online. remainder of the actors are not as well known as some of the bigger names in the film, the comedic timing and expertise of each of the actors unquestionably adds to the overall quality of the film, and will hopefully advance the careers of many of the secondary actors. Overall, this unique tale of reunited friends who are caught up in a bad situation is the perfect comedy to watch with a group of friends and a couple of beers, or for anyone who has ever wished to relive their high school years just for one single night; minus the robots of course.