Strong Female Character

Hanna Flint

29 September 2022
9781804440001
336 pages

Synopsis

'At a time when fluff and gossip reign supreme, Hanna Flint's work is consistently insightful, informative and engaging all at once. I always finish reading it feeling just a tad bit smarter.' Candice Frederick, Huffington Post

'One of the smartest pop culture commentators out there.' Toby Moses, Guardian

The leading film critic of her generation offers an eloquent, insightful and humorous reflection on the screen's representation of women and ethnic minorities, revealing how cinema has been the key to understanding herself, her body image and her ambitions as well as the world we live in.

A staunch feminist of mixed-race heritage, Hanna has succeeded in an industry not designed for people like her. She interweaves anecdotes from familial and personal experiences - from episodes of messy sex and introspection to the time when actor Vincent D'Onofrio tweeted that Hanna Flint sounded 'like a secret agent' - to offer a critical eye on the screen's representation of women and ethnic minorities. Divided into sections 'Origin Story', 'Coming of Age', 'Adult Material', 'Workplace Drama' and 'Strong Female Character', the book ponders how the creative industries could better reflect our multicultural society.

Warm, funny and engaging and full of film-infused lessons, Strong Female Character will appeal to readers of all backgrounds and seeks to help us better see ourselves in our own eyes rather than letting others decide who and what we can be.
Unlike any film book I've read before, Strong Female Character is part-polemic, part-historical and social study of film, and part memoir. Hanna Flint deftly weaves these strands to tell a funny, angry and compelling story for right now: of how the cinematic world built this millennium girl's life. Covering absent fathers, MeToo, first loves, eating disorders and masturbation, there's little Hanna doesn't tackle head on with her signature honesty and humour. The huge authority with which she writes about film is only matched by the emotional power in describing her own experiences. Truly original. A must for any film fan who has wondered how their own life intersects with the art that they love.
A really gorgeous and thorough examination on films that have helped shape me into the woman I am today. Hanna's writing is sharp and wholesome and shows not only a forensic knowledge on movies but a deep love and respect for film. This book is a real celebration and ode to women who hold up the art of cinema.
A really gorgeous and thorough examination on films that have helped shape me into the woman I am today. Hanna's writing is sharp and wholesome and shows not only a forensic knowledge on movies but a deep love and respect for film. This book is a real celebration and ode to women who hold up the art of cinema.