Retro Film Review: Amelie

As my children have grown I’ve often been excited to show them a film I loved in my youth only to be struck with the thought upon watching it – why did my mother let me watch that? Or saddened when I realise how sexist one of my beloved films is. So I’ve decided to revisit some of my favourite films from a feminist perspective, starting with Amelie.

What I’m looking for:

·         Does it pass the Bechdel test? This is a basic test that asks three questions. 1. Are there two named female characters who 2. talk to each other about 3. something other than a man? (It’s shocking how few films pass even this basic test.)
·         If it doesn’t pass the Bechdel test is there a good reason why? I think The Shawshank Redemption is a good example of this since the film is set in a men’s prison. Another exception for me is if the value of the message in the film redeems it not passing or it passes the same rules but for people of colour rather than women. – Bonus points if it does both.
·         Is there diversity in crowd shots?
·         Are women involved in the production of the film? Even if they are not represented on screen is the story being told from a female perspective? Writer, Director, Producer etc.

For more information visit the New York Film Academy blog for statistics and results of their inquiry into gender inequality in film.

http://www.impawards.com/2001/amelie_ver1.html

Amelie (2001) is a French film written by Guillaume Laurant and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and stars Audrey Tautou.

The protagonist, Amelie, is described as, ‘an innocent and naïve girl in Paris with her own sense of justice.’ I feel this description doesn’t capture the complexity of Amelie; which is one of the strengths of this film.

Almost all of the characters are dynamic and fully fleshed out. (Several are named women who speak to each other about topics other than – and including men.)

When I first saw Amelie at the theatre I experienced it much as I imagine the first viewers of The Wizard of Oz must have felt. I was just as enchanted with this viewing.

Screenwriting “rules” are broken; there is voice over narration throughout the film and Amelie frequently breaks the fourth wall to address the audience. The cinematography, music and style of storytelling work together to create a dreamy atmosphere.

Yet, for all its dreamlike qualities the film’s dynamic characters, male to female ratios and the equal treatment of both makes the world of Amelie feel more “real” than many of the films coming out of Hollywood. (Even with its touches of animation.)

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle

The LuWow

Don's Zombie
Image by Belinda Hosking

If pin-up-girl style and rockabilly music are your thing and/or you’re mad for kitschy tiki taverns, like my girlfriend is, then you must check out The LuWow on Johnston Street in Fitzroy.

There are two sides to The LuWow, the Island Village Lounge bar (open Wed-Sat 5pm til late) and the Forbidden Temple (open Fri & Sat from 8:30pm). You can take a virtual tour of each on The LuWow website.

The dual nature creates an ambiance like the old Frankie and Annette beach movies where the strait surfer culture was juxtaposed with the more wild (and fun) goofy-baddie scene.

The LuWow has Rum & Records with Joey Elbows every Wednesday and King Kahunas Rockin’ Karaoke from 9pm every Thursday in the Island Village Lounge bar and regularly presents shows and events in the Forbidden Temple.

I recently caught up with my friend on their Wednesday night Rum Club & Rumble in the Jungle which features half priced rum and Joey Elbows’ ‘Rockin’ Rhythms’.

It was perfect for a catch-up – not too busy (it was Wednesday night after all.) We ensconced ourselves in one of their tiki hut booths, to the side where we could converse easily yet still enjoy the music.

Half price rum meant my introduction to neat rum was a twenty-one year old – a smooth experience.

smooth 21 year old rum
Image by Belinda Hosking

Staff at The LuWow are friendly and the ambiance is tiki heaven.

Drinks are pricey but on a par with most Melbourne venues. If you’re on a budget go on a Wednesday night when rum is half price, Thursday between 5pm-9pm two for one cocktails or Friday and Saturday $10 MAI-TAIS until 9pm.

All of the drinks are scrumptious but I recommend Don’s Zombie.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle

Uniform Policy: Teaching Rape Culture in our Schools (part two)

My daughter entered secondary school as a confident quirky individual. Somehow, despite the school’s mixed messages to its students and promotion of a “norm” through its uniform policy she has managed to stay that way. Unfortunately, many of her friends have not fared so well. Some have developed eating disorders, started cutting or have struggled with depression. This year alone four have attempted suicide.

It may seem like a big leap linking the school’s uniform policy to individual students’ social issues and the broader societal issue of rape culture but I think it’s important to scrutinise all of the lessons our children are being taught and their implications. (Whether or not the lessons are intentional.)

Next year my daughter will be starting year eleven and so far at her school there have been regular uniform blitzes directed at the length of skirts.

In a whole school assembly the girls were told their hemlines can lead to distraction and that short skirts are disrespectful. Because this was addressed specifically in regards to skirt length the one message that would have been okay – that disregarding school uniform policy is disrespectful to the school – is doubtful.

The message my daughter and her friends got from the male coordinator giving the speech was that it was disrespectful towards male students, staff and to themselves – otherwise known as slut shaming.

All of the students have been given messages whether it has been the school’s intent or not.

A uniform policy that polices the way girls dress while having a lax policy for male students – coupled with the shaming of girls for distracting males, teaches the following contradictory lessons to our children:

1) Women have no agency over their own bodies.

2) Women and not men are responsible for male desire.

By placing the burden of responsibility for the male gaze fully on female students – harassing them so that the boys are not distracted – the uniform policy also tells our students that the education of boys is more important than the education of girls.

I am not suggesting this is the cause of rape culture in Australia. I am saying I think it perpetuates rape culture.

My daughter has always been artsy and passionate. At the moment she wants to be either a theatrical makeup artist or a journalist. She is also a self-proclaimed feminist. I hope she remains strong and independent.

Recently she wrote an article for her school paper about the iniquities of the school uniform policy. She was rebuked and the article did not run.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle

Uniform Policy: Teaching Rape Culture in our Schools (part one)

My daughter’s introduction to slut shaming came with the start of secondary school. While the boys were free to acclimatise to their surroundings the girls were burdened with a new concept and a disturbing emphasis on the length of their skirts.

There are many issues with my daughter’s school uniform policy. There is an inequity to it both between the genders and also depending on which social group a student identifies with.

Fake tans are permitted as well as colouring hair – as long as it’s a “natural” colour. Bleach blonde is good – no matter what shade it turns out. Even the recent ambre hairstyles were allowed. So if you fit into the trendy crowd or you want to go for the playboy bunny look that’s okay. But if you put a purple streak in your hair you’ve gone too far.

Male students can interchange winter or summer uniform as they see fit (which is practical given Melbourne’s erratic weather). They are able to choose between a polo shirt and business shirt (I’ve never seen one choose the business option). They can wear shorts or pants.

In contrast female student’s uniform policy is strictly policed. During term one and four: summer uniform dress (no shorter than knee length) and white socks between the ankles and knees. During term two and three: business shirt, tartan skirt (no shorter than knee length) and the choice of black tights or knee high black socks.

As far as I’m concerned you either are permitted to colour your hair or you’re not. Uniform can be chosen by all students based on the weather – or none. If the school wants their students to appear business like it should be all of the students – or none. I don’t have an issue with uniform policies – it is how they are enforced that creates the problem.

In year eight the girls were lined up in class (in front of jeering male classmates) to have their skirt lengths checked. She was so disturbed by the experience that she wanted to wear pants instead. Technically they are on the uniform list for girls – however they are not stocked in the uniform shop and not listed as an option in the majority of places where the policy is listed.

She was told she could wear the boys’ pants but she should be prepared to be made fun of. The woman who runs the uniform shop said the same thing. When I responded that my daughter still wanted pants I was told we were free to find some if they were made of the same material as the boys’ pants. So far we haven’t had any luck.

*For those who don’t know what ‘rape culture’ is check out this article, ‘25 Everyday Examples of Rape Culture’.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle

Green Your Laneway

Image by Section8

There is much to love about Tattersalls Lane. Apart from the scrumptious dumplings at the Camy Shanghai Dumpling & Noodle Restaurant – there’s Section8; which started March 2006 as a temporary pop-up bar in a car park and has become a permanent part of Melbourne.

Section8’s greatest achievement is how they’ve transformed the space – re-purposing pallets and milk crates for seating and maintaining the outdoor pop-up vibe while making it a permanent bar. Existing greenery remains and new encouraged to grow. There are planter boxes along the outer fencing and vines flourish inside and out.

Laneways have been a source of pride for Melbournians and a tourist attraction for many years. Yet, most of the 60 hectares of laneways are underutilised.

Even in spaces that are a street art must-see for tourists, like Cocker Alley with its controversial Perspex-case-protected-Banksy, the laneways are dominated by dumpsters, pallets and milk crates.

Through its Urban Forest Strategy the City of Melbourne has had a plan for ‘greening major streets and precincts, but not the smaller laneways’…until now. Their Green Your Laneway pilot project has looked at the 60 hectares (with a further 150 hectares of wall space) as an opportunity to further green the city.

Why?

According to the Participate Melbourne website Greening Melbourne’s Laneways will:

·         Provide shading and local cooling.

·         Improve aesthetics and local amenity.

·         Create ecological benefits.

·         Encourage health and wellbeing flow on effects.

·         Increase landscape permeability (and hence flood mitigation and passive watering).

·         Create opportunities for relaxation and recreation.

How?

There are four different types of greening the City is looking at: park lanes (open areas with vegetation and seating), forest lanes (trees), vertical gardens (growing plants up the walls of buildings) and farm lanes (growing food in planter boxes).

When?

Nominations are open until November 13, 2015.

To get involved?

Nominate a laneway via the online form on the Participate Melbourne website. Other ways to get involved include; volunteer to look after plants, acting as a laneway champion for the project, allowing your wall to be greened and/or contribute funding to the project.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle