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m. adamović ■ what can we learn about feminism from web portals?
Feminism and Film
This thematic framework comments on feminist-themed movies as well
as their main protagonists or announces specialised events such as femi-
nist film festivals. Generally, it features film critiques or articles inspired
by the feminist actions of movie protagonists. One of them showers such
praise on the movie “Legally Blonde” that it even suggests a kind of “fem-
inist know-how” or “guide to life” for young girls which is based on the
movie script. Namely, the actors of this thematic framework are movie
characters, such as Elle Woods for example.
In the comments of movie portrayals, the hierarchical aspects, i.e.
power relations, are relatively emphasised through the retelling of the
movie plot.
When she first arrived at Harvard, Elle Woods was seen by everyone as a stereo-
typical stupid blonde and made fun of because of her clothing style. (FF–1)
One of the landmark scenes in the movie “Legally Blonde” is certainly the one in
which professor Callahan invites Elle to his office pretending to want to congratu-
late her. He then proceeds to try and convince her to sleep with him if she wants to
advance her career. (FF–1)
In the desire for feminist achievements of the movie hero Elle Woods
to be transferred into a personal, real-life philosophy, this framework of-
fers numerous pearls of wisdom inspired by the feminist actions of this
film character presented as advice, so it can be said that the implications
of potentially “feminist activity” are extremely pronounced. The text is
primarily entertaining in character and is evidently intended for young-
er readers.
If something feels weird, it means it is weird.
… nobody should suffer sexual harassment to succeed.
Don’t be afraid to take the lead.
… Elle is persistent enough and confident enough to take the lead.
Always be the best friend you can be.
… Elle always makes sure that her friends are ok before she even looks at a man …
she is the president of her sorority. (FF–1)
The word feminism is mostly omitted from this thematic framework
and when it is used for the purpose of analysis it is mostly in compound
terms such as “the film’s feminist framework”. In one of the examples, this
is elaborated through a string of cultural stereotypes denoting that wom-
en are not perceived as carriers of power unless they behave or appear in
accordance with codes of hegemonic masculinity. About the example of
97
Feminism and Film
This thematic framework comments on feminist-themed movies as well
as their main protagonists or announces specialised events such as femi-
nist film festivals. Generally, it features film critiques or articles inspired
by the feminist actions of movie protagonists. One of them showers such
praise on the movie “Legally Blonde” that it even suggests a kind of “fem-
inist know-how” or “guide to life” for young girls which is based on the
movie script. Namely, the actors of this thematic framework are movie
characters, such as Elle Woods for example.
In the comments of movie portrayals, the hierarchical aspects, i.e.
power relations, are relatively emphasised through the retelling of the
movie plot.
When she first arrived at Harvard, Elle Woods was seen by everyone as a stereo-
typical stupid blonde and made fun of because of her clothing style. (FF–1)
One of the landmark scenes in the movie “Legally Blonde” is certainly the one in
which professor Callahan invites Elle to his office pretending to want to congratu-
late her. He then proceeds to try and convince her to sleep with him if she wants to
advance her career. (FF–1)
In the desire for feminist achievements of the movie hero Elle Woods
to be transferred into a personal, real-life philosophy, this framework of-
fers numerous pearls of wisdom inspired by the feminist actions of this
film character presented as advice, so it can be said that the implications
of potentially “feminist activity” are extremely pronounced. The text is
primarily entertaining in character and is evidently intended for young-
er readers.
If something feels weird, it means it is weird.
… nobody should suffer sexual harassment to succeed.
Don’t be afraid to take the lead.
… Elle is persistent enough and confident enough to take the lead.
Always be the best friend you can be.
… Elle always makes sure that her friends are ok before she even looks at a man …
she is the president of her sorority. (FF–1)
The word feminism is mostly omitted from this thematic framework
and when it is used for the purpose of analysis it is mostly in compound
terms such as “the film’s feminist framework”. In one of the examples, this
is elaborated through a string of cultural stereotypes denoting that wom-
en are not perceived as carriers of power unless they behave or appear in
accordance with codes of hegemonic masculinity. About the example of
97
