The rise of women fighting on film
Animation and illustration by Nanna de Jong
by Lauren Colella
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A recent wave of women fighting on screen is showcasing a novel kind of feminine aggression. It can be seen on the roller derby track in Whip It, in the wrestling ring in GLOW, and even in underground fight clubs, as shown in the new high school comedy Bottoms.
In the past, many on-screen portrayals have focused on the individual female protagonist's journey into a male-dominated world, often painting the struggle for recognition and respect as the primary narrative. While these stories are essential in their own right, recent depictions are taking a different approach. For instance, in GLOW, the emphasis is on the relationships among the women, exploring the complexities of their lives beyond the wrestling ring. This character-driven approach allows the audience to connect with the fighters on a more profound level, highlighting their experiences and struggles beyond the physical combat.
Bottoms takes this approach to the next level: it centers around two young queer women (played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebri) who start a women-centric fight club in high school with the aim of getting closer to their crushes. In this film, women fighting one another captures more than just the topic of feminine aggression, but further encompasses themes of identity, sexuality, and acceptance. The fight club therefore becomes a metaphor for the characters' fight against societal norms and expectations. Through the plot, Bottoms broadens the scope of what it means to fight, highlighting the multifaceted nature of women engaging in high-contact sports.
Filmmakers and their fighters
To fully appreciate this cinematic shift, we need to understand the motivations of the filmmakers. The creators behind these projects are not just seeking to entertain; they're aiming to challenge norms and perceptions. They are pushing the boundaries of storytelling, using female fighters as a vehicle to address larger issues such as gender roles, societal expectations, and the fight for equality.
For GLOW, creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch drew inspiration from the real-life Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling promotion from the 1980s. By fusing the world of wrestling with complex character development, they provide an avenue for exploring the diverse aspects of womanhood. It's not just about fighting; it's about self-discovery and empowerment.
In Bottoms, director Emma Seligman breaks barriers by portraying teens who are self-aware, cunning, and fearless, but also crass, misguided, and flawed. As Seligman put it to MovieMaker, “I think every human deserves to see a relatable, complicated, nuanced version of themselves on screen. And I don’t think that I’ve seen it enough for me to feel recognized.”
By showcasing a group of young women navigating the complexities of adolescence with wit and humor, Seligman is championing the idea that fighting is not limited to physical combat, but extends to battling against prejudices and expectations.
Nanna de Jong
The reality of the wrestling ring
For the real-life women who play high-contact sports, fighting is not just a plot point in a movie or a scripted scene in a television series — it's their livelihood, their passion, and their means of making change. Emily Tew is a four-time national wrestling champion and wrestling coach. When she began the sport, she was the only girl on her high school team. Now, she’s an advocate of women and girls’ participation in wrestling, even going on to write an op-ed titled “Why Your Daughter Should Wrestle.”
A big part of her wrestling career was about her proving her own strength to herself. “I really enjoy the challenges that wrestling offers and being able to overcome those challenges,” she says. Her time as both a wrestling champion and as a wrestling coach has left a lasting impact on her own internal narrative. She admittedly struggles with imposter syndrome, but her accomplishments in the ring are a reminder of her resilience. “I've always been able to go back on that when I'm in tough situations, be like, no, I can do this... One of my big things for this year is, ‘you're built to do tough things.’”
Nanna de Jong
Benefits of high contact sports
Research by psychology professor Dr. Adam Croom argues that the cognitive-emotional components coupled with interpersonal skills learned in contact sports can be positive for overall mental well-being. His literature review of research related to women’s participation in martial arts showed regular practice of such high-contact sports has been shown in several studies to positively influence interpersonal relationships, as well as improve participants’ sense of purpose and meaning in life.
The rise of the on-screen feminist fight club marks a significant shift in the way we tell stories about women fighting. It's not merely a physical act, but a means of channeling a range of experiences and emotions. Recent portrayals of women fighters have paved the way by prioritizing character-driven narratives and tackling societal issues within the context of female combat. The motivations of the creators behind these projects are essential to understanding this transformation, as they seek to challenge norms and redefine storytelling.
As these on-screen fight clubs continue to evolve, we can anticipate a future where stories of female fighters are not just a testament to physical strength but also to the depth of character, the power of relationships, and the unyielding drive to break free from the constraints of tradition and prejudice.