LADYWORLD

With eight female leads, the prospect of an all-female cast was exciting given most films still fall short of the Bechdel Test. ‘Ladyworld' in its entirety is an all-female drama lesson taught by Kramer. If anything, it was a chance for the actresses involved to showcase their theatrical talent. Instead, the film sought to sexualise the cast involved. Sure, this was partly the point. Believe me, if the half-naked dancing doesn’t give you a clue, then the high-pitched female moaning utilised as the soundtrack will.

My final eye-roll moment came when the film all but turned into a “let's shit on men” party. I mean, come on! A female-led production, and somehow it still becomes about men. The aggressive approach towards representing the patriarchy is a little amateurish for my liking. Utilising the character of “the man”, his presence in the house becomes a tool for propaganda and fear-mongering. As far as making a point goes, it doesn't get any clearer than that. My anger throughout the film was driven by the application of this narrative point. If you're going to vilify a character or gender, at least give me plausible reason as a viewer to also dislike them. Alternatively, if the point of this plot device is to hold women accountable for blaming men, then it really wasn't clear enough.

Whilst I appreciate the film's navigation of holding females accountable for the way we act towards each other, I can see how a male watching this film would feel targeted and/or annoyed for its aggressive generalisation of men and the way they view women. This then becomes more destructive to the qualities and message of feminism. Films with a feminist undertow should seek to portray inequality in a reasonable and educational format - not make men run away. As for me? I'm still waiting on a film that explores the positives of female relationships, no talk of men or catty behaviour; just real, empowering and relatable content.