Tag: F

My latest binge watch series on Netflix is The Fall starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan. In many ways it’s a conventional modern police procedural – serial killer (Dornan) tortures and murders women while brilliant cop (Anderson) leads a team trying to stop him. It certainly doesn’t lack for the common tropes of the genre. However, as this Atlantic article explains, it has some interesting things to say about feminism, female power and sexuality.

In some ways it reminds me of Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren, which I’ve written about previously. The difference is that Prime Suspect (a 90’s show) focused on Mirren dealing with the sexism and macho culture of the police. A lot of the drama derived from her trying to both catch the culprit while simultaneously dealing with her neanderthal colleagues. In contrast Anderson’s character operates in a far more modern police culture, where women can do a job without having to constantly prove themselves or face down sexist remarks. That leaves room to address more nuanced issues like consent, female sexuality and the Madonna/whore complex. It feels like progress that this kind of show can tackle these more nuanced issues, and not have to make the fact that a women is in a position of power the main dramatic element.

I was never a fan of the X-Files, and so never really got the cult that built up around Mulder and Scully. However, after watching this series, I can understand the appeal of Gillian Anderson. She’s a very talented actress, and it’s fun to watch her play a powerful, intelligent and sexually forceful character.

Anyone who enjoyed the story and imagery from the last post on Beryl Swain may want to check out The Women’s Moto Exhibit site. It’s a collection of photographs and a traveling show that aims to:

…document the new wave of modern female motorcyclists. The goal is to reveal the brave, courageous and beautiful women that live to ride.

The creator is Portland based Lanakila MacNaughton. It seems like a fine project with some great images.

This blog has been known to stretch the definition of ‘dominant’. Originally it was meant to be all about sexual domination, but I occasionally like to highlight examples of amazing and forceful women, regardless of sexuality or kink. Today’s post features one such woman – Beryl Swain.

You’ve probably never heard of her, but as the article explains, she was the first female entrant in the worlds most dangerous motorcycle race – the Isle of Man TT. In today’s world, where safety is always paramount and race tracks have become ever more sanitized, the Isle of Man race remains an anachronism. An insane, dangerous, stupidly exciting anachronism. The kind of race where safety precautions involve wrapping mattresses around telephone boxes. You can watch POV footage of it here, and even for someone who doesn’t ride it’s a thrilling video.

Beryl raced the TT just once, in 1962, placing 22 out of 25. After that, scared of the bad publicity if a woman was killed in the race, the racing authority imposed a minimum weight requirement to effectively ban her. I’ve no idea about her view of kink, but I do admire her courage and skill. Plus, she does look fabulous in leather on a racing bike.

America has finally chosen a woman to represent a major political party as their presidential nominee. Whatever you think of Hilary and her politics, it’s a significant and historical moment. Of course it happens long after other major countries have already had female leaders, but hey, late is better than never. The next few months of campaigning are doubtless going to be painful to watch (although it does bring out the best in political comedy), but it’s nice to pause and just enjoy this long overdue event.

Hillary Clinton’s nomination may be historical, but she’s not exactly the most loved or unifying political figure. If you’re looking for a powerful woman president, but don’t want to vote for Hillary, then maybe you could consider Mistress Tara Indiana? She’s not the best funded candidate, or the one with the biggest organization, but if you want an authoritarian in the White House, you could certainly do worse. Anyone in LA on the 27th of August, and wanting to help her run, can show their support at her birthday bash and gala.

I thought I’d finish this trilogy of posts on forceful female characters from mainstream media with a slightly offbeat choice – Kate Kaplan from the Blacklist. She plays a cleaner and problem solver. Someone who can dispose of dead bodies for you or, when necessary, find the dead body that you’ve carelessly misplaced. She’s terse, low key, awesomely efficient and strangely hot (to me at least). You can see a montage of her in action here.

I have to admit it’s weird that, in a show featuring a hot FBI agent and a hot Israel agent, I go for the spinster in tweed and horn rimmed glasses. I guess there’s just something about a forceful, no nonsense, understated attitude that does it for me.

I’ve just been re-watching the Jason Bourne trilogy. It’s not a particularly subtle or intellectual series, but it is fun to watch late at night over a drink or two. Personally I prefer the directing of Doug Liman (who did the first Bourne Identity) rather than Paul Greengrass (who did the two sequels). Liman’s style is less frenetic and more traditional than the jerky and over the top Greengrass. That said, the two sequels have one big advantage – Joan Allen. She plays the hard as nails CIA agent who struts through the films, barking orders, facing down her superiors and figuring out what’s really going on. The movies are escapist nonsense of the James Bond variety, but it’s nice to see a strong female character kicking ass and not sleeping with the hero.