Bechdel-Wallace Test Contest: Whip It
This is my entry for @lilyraabe's Bechdel test contest.
My pick is one of my absolute favorite films, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, Whip It, starring Ellen Page. It's a fun, smart, exciting coming of age story about Roller Derby. Roller Derby is awesome. While the film has a romance plot, it is secondary to the main character's story, and the film deals much more with my favorite thing: Friendship.
Whip It doesn't just pass the Bechdel-Wallace test, it also passes the Mako Mori test.
The trailer for this film passes the Bechdel-Wallace test multiple times.
Whip It is the story of Bliss Cavendar, a Texas teen lacking direction, who finds her calling, her passion, and her friends in the world of Roller Derby. It's a sports film about women. It's a funny comedy. It's a moving teen drama.
It was written by a woman, Shauna Cross, based on her own novel "Derby Girl." It was directed and produced by a woman, Drew Barrymore, who also plays a supporting character. And it shows. It isn't objectifying, it isn't male gaze-y. It tells the story of a young woman in the same way countless sports films have told the stories of young men.
This is the first Steemit contest I'm participating in, and I gotta admit, I mostly participated in it for the opportunity to talk about this film, which did not enjoy the commercial success it deserved, and which I hope more people watch.
Heck yes! I love this movie so much and had entirely forgotten about it. Thinking back I remember how much I enjoyed watching it and now feel like I have to revisit. Thanks for writing about this film--I especially love that there is a female director/producer in the driver’s seat! This is a real contender. Oh, and thanks for mentioning the Mako Mori test too! :)
I find the Mako Mori test and other similar tests important in examining films. Different angles are helpful in that respect.
Nice entry. Looks like there is going to be some competition. Good luck!