Highest Grossing Female Films in 2017: a Year in Review for Women in Film and the Work Still to be Done

By Katia

2017 was a tumultuous year for film. Scandal upon scandal, film discourse and argument left and right, but its not too different from any other year in film. The Wrap recently released that three of the highest grossing films of 2017 were all lead by women, which is a beacon of hope and victory for women in the film industry. Althought this achievement is something to be celebrated, the case still stands.

We still have a lot more work to do.

This is the first time something like this has happened in 60 years. The three films listed were Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Beauty and the Beast, and Wonder Woman. While these films were lead by women, were they representing ALL women? Lets discuss.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi needs no introduction. We know the story, characters old and new, far too well. Our female leads in this film are the late icon Carrie Fisher, the brilliant Daisy Ridley, and the talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. Star Wars has had its criticism for lack of diversity among women, having no women of color or any LGBTQ characters. A live action role for a woman of color is a first for the Star Wars Franchise, as Lupita Nyong’o’s role as Maz Kanata was done in motion capture. Kelly Marie Tran takes on the role of Rose Tico, a hopeful Resistance Mechanic turned Resistance Hero. While Star Wars and Lucasfilm need to work on their inclusion of women of color, this film portrays its first female hero of color perfectly. I cannot wait to see more Rose Tico and more women of color in the Star Wars franchise. 

Beauty and the Beast is still a highly debated film. Many are questioning why Disney has decided to make over 19 live action reboots of their animated classics, and really, my only answer to that is money. I view these reboots as cashgrabs, as the story has already been done. In my viewing of Beauty and The Beast, I found it a bit uninteresting and lacking creativity, but there’s not much to do with a recycled story. I don’t think Beauty and the Beast’s intention was to represent women, and as it has a female lead, it remains a run of the mill princess story. I will mention that Belle has always been a more independent Disney princess for young girls to look up to, but she’s no Mulan. This film features only a very minor role for a woman of color, and most of it is done in animation motion capture. And of course, I can’t go without speaking of the Lefou controversy. Apparently, LeFou is now a canonically gay Disney character, which to me, doesn’t do much for our community in terms of representation. LeFou is portayed as a foolish villan, and the whole “in love with Gaston” storyline is very thrown to the side and doesn’t differ much from the animated film. Do I think Disney will ever realistically have a queer character? No. Do I think they 100% can and should take the time to actually have it make sense and represent us in a way we feel is respectful? You already know my answer.

As a female comic book fan, I was beyond stoked for Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman made a big splash at the box office, and there is no questioning the cultural impact Wonder Woman made for the film industry and the women in it. While Wonder Woman stands as one of the best comic book films of 2017 and all of the whole genre for that matter, its diversity in female leads lacks. It is to be noted that Diana Prince’s home island of Themyscira, its population made up of women only, features many women of color. I take this as an important detail for the story as well as representation for women, showing that women are diverse. It is also to be noted that in the comics, Diana Prince is canonically bisexual. While it is not adressed in the film, Both Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot and Director Patty Jenkins have stated in interviews that her bisexuality is canon in the films as well. Comic book films are not the most diverse or inclusive film genre, but Wonder Woman was a huge step in the right direction.

I can’t write about 2017 without mentioning the scum of the earth sleaze that is Harvey Weinstein. We all know what happened, and there is absolutely no excusing any one involved in the shrouding secrecy of his acts and Harvey himself. As it feels its a dark time for women in the film industry, I like to view it as some what of a “Pheonix”. Harvey Weinstein abused and assaulted numerous women throughout his entire career, leaving them traumatized and nowhere to go to tell someone. He used his position of power to intimidate and harass women. But aside this horrible crime, the spark it has made in progress and justice is remarkable. Women in every industry ,and all women really, have raised their voices in telling their stories and expelling the acts of sexual harassers. Tarana Burke created the hashtag #MeToo, which started a social media frenzy of so many courageous women telling their stories. From the harrassment and abuse, rises the powerful, brave, and true. I give so much respect to anyone raising their voice and telling their story. #MeToo.

I look forward to 2018 for the social progression of the film industry. There are so many female lead films I’m excited to see. Are there any 2018 film reccomendations you have for us and would like to see discussed or analyzed? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to see what films our readers are interested in. Happy New Year to you all, and to a more inclusive Hollywood.