I thought I would do something different this week and respond to females being oppressed. This is a response to the following video that Esther showed in class the other day about female film makers. I will just be writing an analysis about how Female Pasifika people aren't featured much in movies and TV shows.
Pacific shorts in the New Zealand Film Festival:
While watching the video, I couldn't help but notice that these female filmmakers only managed to make "short film" rather than feature length ones. I then started to realize that in general, Pacifika females in general are not represented in many TV show/movies, if I were to think of ones from the top of my head.
A famous example of a TV show that gained national exposure is of course bro'Town. This show was created by The Naked Samoans (all male) and the main lead characters were all boys.
I think that Maori females have better representation in popular culture with Keisha Castle Hughes making it big with Whale Rider where she got nominated for an Academy Award. There's also the Maori actress Rena Owen who starred in Once Were Warriors and even managed to snag a bit-part in Star Wars: Episode II.
Pasifika males I feel have made it "big" so to speak. The most famous Samoan (or Pacific Islander) ever is probably Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Not only did he become a famous professional wrestler, he's now one of the most recognizable people in the world now that he has become a Hollywood actor.
The only Pasifika women I know that are on TV right now are two actresses from Shortland Street. One is Frankie Adams (who plays Ula) and the other is Teuila Blakely (who plays Vasa). Shortland Street has always been a good show that portrays characters from many different cultures. Sadly though, these are the only two Pasifika actresses I know that are on TV right now.
However, I do feel that Pasifika females are better represented in NZ's music industry than they are in the TV/Movie one. Ladi 6 is of Samoan descent and has lots of songs that were in the NZ charts. Not to mention she will be playing at the 2014 Big Day Out. Another Samoan singer that has been quite successful in her career is Aaaradnha.
Hi Damian,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting set of observations here.
I'm not sure the making of short films is 'less' than making a feature length - in some ways it must be more challenging! I of course appreciate your point about the increase in funding, support etc. needed for the production of a feature length film. I just do not want to take anything away from these magnificent short films.
How do you feel about HOW Pasifika women are represented in film/ on TV, even in the 2 examples of 'Ula' and 'Vasa' from Shortland street?
Esther :)
Hi Esther,
DeleteThanks for the reply.
Anyway, to ask your question, I do feel that Pasifika women are better represented in films and television compared to Pasifika men. Sometimes when I see Pacifika men on TV, they usually portrayed as the comic relief or joker of the show. The women are usually represented as smarter and more mature.
In terms of Shortland St, I think Ula and Vasa are represented quite well. Vasa may come across as bossy, but she's a qualified nurse and good at her job. I think Ula was represented poorly when she was acting like a "teen mum". Now her character also works at the hospital and is flatting with other characters. I guess Ula's character became better represented as time went on.