Film fans name top films that challenged stereotypes in 2023 - Barbie tops list
Film fans have voted for the top movies of 2023 for challenging conventional stereotypes – with Barbie, and the live-action The Little Mermaid remake, topping the list.
Greta Gerwig's summer smash hit, Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was lauded for shining a light on gender norms and imbalances.
Meanwhile, Disney was praised for casting black actress, Halle Bailey, in the lead role of Ariel – while Marvel film, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, also made the top five list, for featuring a superhero from the LGBTQ+ community.
It comes as the survey of 2,000 film lovers also revealed some of the film scenes that have aged badly, in terms of representation – with Mickey Rooney's “yellowface” as the Japanese character of Mr Yunioshi, in Breakfast at Tiffany's, topping the list, for 27%.
And one in five also decried 2003 action film, The Last Samurai, for its misrepresentation of Japanese culture – while Planet of the Apes was called out due to its racist connotations.
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It comes as four in ten Brits (41%) still don't feel represented in cinema, with two-thirds saying the film industry continues to perpetuate outdated clichés when portraying characters of under-represented groups – according to the poll, commissioned by M&M’s Short Film Festival, which offers funding and mentorship to aspiring filmmakers.
The Little Mermaid was also lauded for casting a black actress in the lead role (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)Over half of those polled (54%), via OnePoll, would like to see more effort made for minority roles to be awarded to actors from those communities – rising to 73% among the Gen-Z movie lovers polled.
Accurate representation is also at the forefront of the mind of these younger audiences, as 54% reveal fair representation of minority groups improves their viewing experience. And 77% even say poor representation or outdated stereotypes is enough for them to turn off a movie, or leave the cinema.
Other movies which have not aged well include Gone with the Wind’s, with a quarter noting its problematic romanticisation of the horrors of slavery in the Antebellum South.
In fact, 40% even believe they would do a better job when it comes to representation in film, if they were given the chance to shoot a motion picture themselves.
Aspiring directors looking to bring their stories to life can apply for M&M’s Short Film Festival by submitting a film idea inspired by the theme of belonging.
A diverse panel of judges will select three to progress, and create trailers which will be screened to the public in order to decide the winner – who will receive a cash prize and mentorship to make their movie.
Monique Needham, who won last year, and is now joining the line-up of mentors, said: “I’m so excited to be teaming up with M&M’S to support the next generation of filmmakers, helping tell rich stories that deserve to be seen on screen, rather than outdated stereotypes.
“Through the funding of my film, Sunday Dinner, I was able to finally tell a story that brings to life characters that exist in my world, showcasing British-Caribbean culture in a rounded way that I don't often get to see in Britain.”
Leah Dyckes, from Bitesize, added: “As a treat synonymous with movie culture, we feel it is our duty to use our global platform to give aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to amplify their voices, and continue increasing a sense of belonging, and breaking barriers for those with a passion for creativity, regardless of their background.”
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TOP FIVE FILMS IN 2023 WHICH HAVE CHALLENGED STEREOTYPES:
- Barbie
- The Little Mermaid
- The Whale
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3
- Women Talking
TOP FIVE FILMS WHICH HAVE AGED BADLY, AND WHY:
- Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961) – Mr Yunioshi played by a white actor in yellowface
- Gone With The Wind (1939) – romanticising of the antebellum South, ignoring horrors of slavery
- The Last Samurai (2003) – misrepresents Japanese culture, and featured controversial casting
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) – for its depiction of Indian people
- Planet of the Apes (film series) – because of its racial connotations
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