Oh, wow!!! I love this this post.

I would love to have an in depth discussion of the roles (the stories) of women in popular film as that’s been my interest for a while. Ellen Ripley is very probably one of my biggest heroes. I could add a few more to this list, like Jeryline from Demon Knight, and Alex from Aliens vs Predator, who fit the Ellen Ripley model. I think this post requires a “leetle” bit more nuance, though.

Usually, when Black women find their way into action movies they are either killed right away, or they are the stereotype of The Strong Black Woman, and I think the difference in depictions of Black and White women onscreen is very interesting.

I’m glad you mentioned the women of Black Panther. On Tumblr, we’ve been having a lot of discussion about what White and Black women want in the depictions of themselves, on movie screens, and how sometimes what each group wants is at odds. Black women want less reliance on the above stereotype for us. We want to be seen as delicate, vulnerable and needing protection, which is at odds with what White women want to see for themselves, and there has been a great deal of back and forth about this.

You mentioned Crouching Tiger, and I just wanted to add that Chinese action films often have a very different priority, which is why you often encounter more men with trauma in their past, then women. This usually involves the loss of various father figures, like mentors and teachers, like the Ip Man series.

Okay, that’s it! Don’t let me get started cuz I could ramble about this topic all day…so,

Thanx for sharing!