Lights, Camera, Let’s Talk?

Tests, assignments, evaluations, juries, etc. are words that often lead to a rush of adrenaline for some and a jolt of excitement among others. You might be thinking that you are the only one who is supposed to prepare for an upcoming test or spend time working on a very important presentation for your client. However, this is not the case, my dear. Who knew, that apart from the box office collection, movies too are subject to a kind of test—a test that doesn't just measure financial success but delves deeper into the heart of storytelling itself. It's a reflection of the values we believe in, the narratives we continue, and the voices we amplify on screen. Just as we are evaluated in different aspects of our lives, so too are films assessed beyond the surface, holding up a mirror to society’s progress—or lack thereof.

This not so known test, is the Bechdel Test. Also known as the Bechdel-Wallace Test, it tries to measure the representation of women in media in fiction and films. It is used as an indicator of the active presence of women in works of fiction. The American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who first presented the test in her 1985 comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For”, is honoured by the test's name. Bechdel was impressed by Virginia Woolf's writings and gave credit for the idea to her friend Liz Wallace.

In a specific strip of the “Dykes to Watch Out For”, two future characters Louis and Ginger are seen discussing the test. One of them explains how they will only go out and watch a movie if it satisfies the following conditions- There should be more than two women in a film, who have to talk to each other, and have a conversation about anything other than a man. The strip's background majorly dealt with the alienation of queer women from entertainment and the film industry, where a queer woman could only assume that any character in a movie may also be queer if they met the test's prerequisites.

The test is not only limited to films, but has also been applied to other media such as television series, comics and even video games. British actor Beth Watson also came up with a Bechdel Theatre" campaign in 2015 that aims to highlight test-passing plays. Although on one side we have researchers highlighting the fact that films that do pass this test, do financially well, however, critics contend that the test is limited and overly simplistic, as it doesn't account for the complexity or depth of female characters. Some argue that a film can pass the test while still promoting harmful stereotypes, while others note that a film can fail the test yet still offer rich, empowering portrayals of women. This debate underscores the broader discussion about how best to assess gender representation in media.

In the end, the Bechdel Test is not just a measure of dialogue between characters—it's a conversation starter about the stories we tell and the voices we choose to amplify. As we continue to consume and create media, the real challenge is whether we're pushing for meaningful change or simply going through the motions.