Why Swedish Theaters Having A Bechdel Grade is a Terrible Idea

The Bechdel test is great, this implementation of it is not

I love movies. And I very much consider myself a feminist. And anyone paying attention should be able to tell you that Hollywood’s depiction of women in Hollywood sucks. However, not everyone is paying attention. Or, even more unfortunately, they just don’t care that much.

That’s why the Bechdel test is such a great idea. Using the criteria of, does a movie feature more than one female character and do these two characters talk about something other than a male character is a quantifiable way to show how gender-biased Hollywood films are. And an uncountable number of films fail this test. Films that we all love — all but one of the Harry Potters, all the Star Wars films, and more. But here’s the thing about this test, those films are still great films. In fact, I wouldn't even go so far as to say that it’s disappointing that those films don’t pass the test. Because I wouldn’t change a single thing about any of those films (okay, maybe the first two Harry Potters could be improved). Those are great films.

The Bechdel Test shouldn’t be a quality marker. It should be a lens used to illustrate a very specific point: that there’s a serious and problematic gender bias in Hollywood films. The quality of the films is an entirely different matter. More interestingly, a film could be entirely anti-feminist and still pass the Bechdel test. Infamous cult film Manos, The Hands of Fate passes the test, but is known to have a seriously flawed depiction of women. In that way, it’s not even a good test of whether a particular movie supports feminist ideas.

This point I’m making isn’t really widely disputed. Even the Swedish theater chains implementing the Bechdel grade aren’t claiming it reflects a movie’s quality. They’re saying it’s to promote diversity in film. That’s definitely something I’m behind. So why is this a problem?

Read this excerpt from this Guardian Article.

The state-funded Swedish Film Institute supports the initiative, which is starting to catch on. Scandinavian cable TV channel Viasat Film says it will start using the ratings in its film reviews and has scheduled an A-rated “Super Sunday” on 17 November, when it will show only films that pass the test, such as The Hunger Games, The Iron Lady and Savages.

Those films listed range from seriously flawed to absolute shit.

And there are lots of great films that DO pass the test. But even if they were to only screen the great ones, it’s still a problem. Because now these movies that passed the Bechdel test are getting a bump in recognition and credibility because they pass a test that, as we’ve all discussed, has no mark on quality.

Remember earlier, when I went over the not controversial a-failing-Bechdel-Test-grade-has-no-effect-on-a-good-movie’s-quality point? Well, common sense should dictate it goes the other way too. A passing Bechdel grade has no effect on a shitty-movie’s quality. But the Iron Lady (meh), Hunger Games (ugh) and Savages (bbbllluuurrrrgggghhhhh) are all getting recognition that they don’t deserve.

Movies should be seen because they’re well made and have something to say. Movies should also be more diverse because, well, that’s how life is. But to confuse diversity with well meaning and something to say is a bad idea. Too often these days we confuse a piece of art featuring our beliefs, backgrounds, interests, etc as being good. For instance, I like comic books so I like comic books movies. The flaw in that thinking is very apparent, the list of terrible, terrible comic books movies is extensive. So thinking I’m a feminist so I like Bechdel Test-approved movies is literally right along the same lines. Movies are good because they’re good. Not because of a test, no matter how useful that test is.