Bechdel Violence

Representation Matters.

Terminology

Infrequent violence occurs less than five times during the TRT.

Frequent violence occurs five times or more during the TRT- about every 15 minutes for a standard theatrical release.

Graphic violence results in a death, probable death, or irreversible physical damage. It also includes nonconsensual penetrative sexual violence. Graphic violence that cannot occur in real life (ie, the T. rex eating the lawyer in Jurassic Park) is reduced to moderate violence in consideration.

Violence occurring post-mortem is not counted, as the individual can no longer feel pain.

Moderate violence results in obvious or potential hospitalization: to continue the Jurassic Park example, Tim getting shocked and falling from the electric fence. Moderate violence also contains nonconsensual touching toward a violent end, including unwanted sexual contact. Moderate violence that cannot occur in real life (say, the dilophosaurus nailing Nedry in the face) is lowered to mild in consideration.

Mild violence is inconsequential or accidental: to use Jurassic Park again, the scene where Hammond’s grandkids knock him over in their excitement to hug him.

Films are sorted according to the most graphic thing that happens in them. If a protagonist is involved in five fistfights and a murder, it will be filed under “infrequent graphic violence toward [protagonist’s gender]”.

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