It may not really come as a surprise: Seniors are scarce in movies. 25 films nominated for Best Picture between 2014 and 2016 were analysed. The results: 8% of the speaking characters were 60 years of age or older, 77.7% of them men, 22.3% women.
42.9% of the 14 films with a leading or supporting senior character featured a derogatory comment about ageing - referring to health, movement, cognition, senses, appearance or death (Choueiti et al., 2017)
- Smith, S. L., Choueiti, M. & Pieper, K. (2017). Over Sixty, Underestimated: A Look at Aging on the "Silver" Screen in Best Picture Nominated Films, LINK
- photographs of the amazing Donald Pleasence (1919-1995) by Allan Warren via and via
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ReplyDeleteThese eyes, this look!
DeleteAlso curious "this dependence on demeaning language, considering that the majority of senior characters in this study were depicted as healthy. Whether the origin of these comments are convenience or ignorance, the use of language that ridicules seniors and the aging process is no laughing matter."
ReplyDeleteLove Pleasence
ReplyDeleteBig fan!
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