Movie Talk with Geena Davis
ID: 3DD-01-0040
Format: HD
Description

Actress Geena Davis discusses her role as an activist championing women on screen, and setting up an institute for research on Gender in media. Davis found from watching kids TV shows with her daughter that there seemed to be a greater number of boys on screen, so she decided to do some research. The research confirmed what she had feared. 'For every 1 female speaking role there 3 male speaking characters and in a crowd scene only 17% were female'. Through Davis' industry connections, she decided to go and speak to the programme creators and sow the seeds for the change. Davis reflects on this being a very effective tactic to get the message of gender balance across to the industry, people were shocked at the statistics and eager to make changes. Davis then discusses Stuart Little 2002 a sweet film starring an animated mouse, she says had a lot of fun on set but found it very strange to act alongside a character that wasn't actually there. Tootsie 1982 Davis was in shock she successfully landed her first audition for the film starring Dustin Hoffman. The Fly 1986 directed by David Cronenberg, a dark comedy/horror, she talks about her early career and being cast in unusual comedic roles. She goes on to say that she feels lucky to have never been typecast in a particular genre or character, this being the key to her success. The Accidental Tourist 1988 Davis won an Oscar. She had already read the book and fell in love with the character, the project was a life affirming experience. Thelma & Louise 1991 Davis read the script and so wanted to be in the film, she got her agent to call the producer Ridley Scott every week for a year to say she was still interested, it eventually worked. The next film discussed is A League of Their Own 1992 a huge hit starring Tom Hanks and Madonna. Davis then talks about the important influence of women directors and writers within the industry. Cutthroat Island 1995 Davis admits to finding herself attracted to very physical roles, 'I discovered late in life that I had some untapped athletic ability'. The Long Kiss Goodnight 1996 clip is shown. Davis goes on to discuss extending her research globally and is now on a mission to share with the world, to try and change things universally for women in film. Davis closes by talking about the UK film industry being ahead of the game all thanks to the British Film Institute.

tags
collections