MissRepresentation and the portrayal of female politicians in the media

For today's 5-minute review, Samara's Jane Hilderman writes about a new documentary, MissRepresentation.

What is it?
MissRepresentation is a new documentary released in 2011 that looks at the connection between how the American media portrays women and American women’s underrepresentation among ranks of elected representatives and other leadership positions.

The documentary is created by Girls’ Club Entertainment and directed by distributed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

What is it about?
MissRepresentation builds a very strong case that media (especially through advertising and Hollywood) socializes both girls and boys, men and women, to evaluate a woman’s worth based on her appearance. This has a number of implications: women are less likely to feel confident about themselves and pursue leadership positions; in turn, women who are in positions of power, are also treated differently by the media than their male counterparts.

The documentary features commentary from a number of experts who study women in the media, activists, as well as recognizable women like Condoleeza Rice and Katie Couric. However, what this documentary does best is incorporate several clever montages of media clips, drawn from music videos, movies and news stories, that successfully supports the facts and deconstructs the dominant media narrative about women. It also gives some attention to the struggles men face due to “emotional illiteracy” instilled by the “macho” narrative.
 
Your assessment:
Highly recommended – even for a Canadian audience given how much media we do share. The film has a great message and important content that will resonate with many. However, the film may overreach in a few instances. For example, it simplifies the “failure” of the women’s liberation movement. It also doesn’t give enough evidence, in my mind, to support its case that congress has never acted on the relationship between TV violence and violence against women due to campaign donations on the part of the media industry. 

Who should watch it:
The message is universally important regardless of age or gender, though the film does contain sexual imagery and thus may be less appropriate for audiences (e.g. under 12 years). It debunks any belief that the glass ceiling no longer exists, and that sexism is no longer a problem.

However, it could have maximum impact on a high school aged audience. In particular, the film (or excerpts) would make a great contribution to a high school civics class or health class as a conversation starter. It could be easily augmented with Canadian statistics and Canadian news stories. Similarly, anyone who is interested in women in politics, and media studies would find it of value.
 
You should give MissRepresentation a pass if:
Warning: you may get angry, even upset, while watching the film, especially when hearing/watching the comments made by radio hosts and newscasters covering women politicians. I sure did. 
 
Who are you:
I work at Samara as a Research Analyst. The film has particular resonance to me as a young woman.

For more information:
Here is the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkIiV6konY

MissRepresentation.org is now a charitable organization and has developed curriculum materials for purchase: http://missrepresentation.org/education/