livus@kbin.social 7 months ago
Strength of character for men and women is the same. It is a basic trait of all human beings. Same with strength of purpose. However, how it gets expressed is different depending on the social and cultural situation they are in at the time.
That can relate to gender because some situations are gendered (for example, women are more likely to be in those situations).
In some movies, it is shown as muscles, aggressive etc. Eg Alien. In other movies it is shown in other ways.
Some examples:
The Color Purple
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Once Were Warriors
Fire by Deepa Mehta
Rabbit Proof Fence
Daughters of the Dust
Whale Rider
Skua@kbin.social 7 months ago
I'm not sure about that characterisation of Ripley in Alien. She doesn't survive by fist-fighting the xenomorph, she's not Arnie in Predator. She's just determined and resourceful.
livus@kbin.social 7 months ago
I agree with you, but I was thinking in terms of aggression and physicality, particularly in Alien 2 and 4. Similarly someone like Clarice Starling is smart and determined but physical prowess and aggresive assertiveness are a core part of her success.
I think Final Girls are probably what OP has in mind when they say determination in movies = physical strength.