Exploring Ageing and Gender in European Cinema: Building the AGE-C Dataset

The AGE-C project is excited to share a glimpse into our ongoing work on creating a unique dataset that delves into how ageing and gender intersect in contemporary European cinema. While still in development, this dataset—nicknamed “Gargantua”—is set to become a vital resource for uncovering trends, analyzing narratives, and reimagining our understanding of ageing on screen.

What’s the Vision?

From the start, the AGE-C project has focused on two key areas: the on-screen portrayals of ageing characters and the careers of ageing stars in Europe’s diverse film industries. These dual objectives demand a research tool capable of accommodating both broad thematic patterns and targeted, in-depth analysis. The AGE-C dataset is being designed with these needs in mind, offering a comprehensive and flexible resource for researchers, educators, and cinephiles alike.

Work in Progress: Building the Dataset

Over the past year, our international research team has been working diligently to compile a dataset that captures portrayals of ageing and the roles of ageing actors in European films produced between 2012 and 2022. Covering a wide geographical range—from France, Germany, and Italy to Romania, Hungary, and the Post-Yugoslav space—this dataset reflects the diverse cinematic traditions of Western and Eastern Europe.

Once completed, the dataset is expected to include over 14,000 carefully selected films. Each entry is being manually inputted by our team to ensure rigorous adherence to thematic and methodological criteria. This hands-on approach aims to guarantee that every film included is intentionally chosen, with no accidental entries.

The architecture and structure of the dataset, developed in collaboration with Dr. Egbert Amoncio, a specialist in innovation research at Goethe University, have now been finalized. This robust framework lays the foundation for unprecedented depth and rigor in analyzing the intersection of ageing and gender in European cinema. With this milestone achieved, we now turn our focus to refining the content and preparing it for broader use.

Overcoming Challenges

Like any ambitious project, our journey has presented its fair share of challenges. Early attempts to limit the dataset to a fixed number of films per year quickly proved unworkable. Such restrictions risked excluding valuable material and misrepresenting the rich tapestry of ageing and gender portrayals in cinema.

In response, we made the decision to lift all limitations. By including every relevant film, we aim to provide a comprehensive and authentic representation of the cinematic landscape. This inclusive approach not only enhances the dataset’s academic precision but also ensures it reflects the true diversity of the films we study.

Tagging: The Key to Unlocking Stories

Central to the dataset’s functionality is its detailed tagging system, featuring more than 70 tags. These tags draw on insights from the films themselves as well as scholarly literature in gerontology, sociology, gender studies, and other fields. Their development has been significantly enriched through our collaboration with Dr. Anna Wanka and her research group “Linking Ages” at Goethe University.

Each tag is carefully defined to ensure clarity and relevance, enabling nuanced analyses of themes and trends. This system empowers users to explore a wide range of questions, whether for academic research, cultural analysis, or film programming.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, the AGE-C dataset is still a work in progress. Our current priorities include further refining the tagging system, broadening the dataset’s scope, and collaborating with King’s College Digital Lab to develop a user-friendly online platform. Once completed, this platform will provide an accessible and intuitive way for researchers and cinephiles to engage with the dataset.

Stay tuned for more updates as we work to bring this ambitious vision to life. Together, we’re shaping new perspectives on ageing and gender in film.

Written by: Olena Gepper

Image credit: Canva com