Gender Identity and Cultural Discrimination in Contemporary Cinema: Analysis of Divines and Bend It Like Beckham
Overview
This paper analyzes how the films Divines (2016) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002) challenge traditional gender identities and cultural discrimination by featuring female protagonists who defy societal expectations. The essay argues that both films represent a significant shift in how society profiles people's identities culturally and socially, with women rejecting prescribed gender roles in traditionally male-dominated activities such as crime and sports.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing cultural and racial discrimination in society and the impact on gender roles
- Analysis of Divines: female robbery gang challenging traditional male-associated criminal behavior and gender expectations
- Analysis of Bend It Like Beckham: Jess's defiance of Indian cultural norms and family discrimination to pursue football
- Comparative discussion of how both films symbolize changing gender identities in contemporary society
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Beyond Identities
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Beyond Identities
The world is full of cultural and racial discrimination. For a long time, culture determines the roles of a man and a woman in society. The Indians and Africans still hold on to many of their cultural demands. Contemporary society unconsciously still discriminates against gender, depending on societal roles. Sadly, women are the most affected. There are roles that men should not engage in the same as women. However, the status quo changes as affected gender are pushing on against all odds to achieve their life goals. This paper analyzes the push for change in how society profiles people's identity culturally and socially in the movies Devines and Bend It Like Beckham.
Devines is a 2016 film set in an urban scenario. It stars the lives of a girls' robbery gang that Rebecca leads, including Dounia and Maimouna. The film describes a turn of events in the societal status quo. Robbery and shoplifting have been a vice in the society that is related to men. Dounia and the gang are hungry for wealth, and they decide to use robbery as a short cut to getting the wealth. Traditionally, men are tasked to accumulate wealth for families in all the cultures globally. But Dounia is hungry for the wealth.