Video: The Bechdel Test from Doctor Who: Feminism in the Whoniverse with Dr. Rosanne Welch

A clip from this longer presentation – Doctor Who: Feminism in the Whoniverse with Dr. Rosanne Welch

The Bechdel Test from Doctor Who: Feminism in the Whoniverse with Dr. Rosanne Welch

 

Watch this entire presentation – Doctor Who: Feminism in the Whoniverse with Dr. Rosanne Welch

Dr. Rosanne Welch (http://rosannewelch.com) speaks on “Feminism in the Whoniverse” of Doctor Who, the BBC television program now in its 50th year. She reviews each of the Doctor’s female companions and speaks on how they are represented in the program and how they represented the women of their respective periods.

Transcript:

Her name is Alison Bechdel and she is a cartoonist who writes a cartoon called “Dykes To Watch Out For.” She happens to be a lesbian. This cartoon has become viral in the film world and this will help us discuss who is the most feminist character. In this cartoon, one day, she discovers her requirements for going to a movie — what a movie required — and it’s now come to be known as “The Bechdel Test” of movies. And her requirements are…1. It has to have at least 2 women in it. Think about some movies that don’t have 2 women in them. 2. They have to talk to each other — that’s point 2, not just the boys in the movie and 3. They have to talk to each other about something besides a man. Those are the questions she asks herself before she pays money to see a movie. That’s “The Bechdel Test.” So, now you have to think about movies that you like and whether or not they pass.   

Feminism in the Whoniverse was presented at the Cal Poly Pomona University Library where Dr. Welch teaches in the IGE (Interdisciplinary General Education) program.

This is the 4th talk on various aspects of Doctor Who that Dr. Welch has presented. You can find these talks using the links below.

Subscribe to Dr. Welch’s YouTube Channel

 

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