Goethe University Magazine “UniReport” on AGE-C Project

“Overlooked and Marginalized? Older Female Artists in Film and Entertainment” dt

Summery

The appearance of pop artist Madonna at the Grammy Awards has intensified the debate surrounding age discrimination. Vinzenz Hediger, a film scholar at Goethe University, is conducting research within a project to explore how film portrays the process of aging, particularly for women.

Madonna’s high-profile appearance sparked discussions. Some observers found her appearance questionable, with talk of cosmetic surgeries and Botox. Others saw the treatment of Madonna as misogynistic, especially regarding her age. Vinzenz Hediger, a film scholar from Frankfurt, closely follows these debates. His project, “AGE-C – Aging and Gender in European Cinema,” involves researchers from five European countries who aim to examine whether European cinema provides a platform for discussing aging.

Vinzenz Hediger notes that Madonna has always been a controversial figure due to her presentation and affirmation of female sexuality. Her portrayal challenges the male gaze, making her an important role model for young women and queer individuals. Hediger emphasizes that Madonna’s influence has connections with artists like Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, and Barbara Streisand. The project plans to focus on the latter during a conference this year.

Hediger acknowledges that Madonna still plays with her youthful image even four decades after her career began. At the Grammys, her suit and tie were seen as a play on gender stereotypes, a practice dating back to Marlene Dietrich. Madonna has given visibility to homosexuality and transgender issues, as seen in her support for artist Kim Petras.

Critics argue that Madonna’s attempts to maintain a youthful appearance through surgical procedures might undermine the acceptance of aging. Others suggest that Madonna should be viewed as an artistic persona detached from notions of naturalness.

The discussion also extends to the film industry, where some claim that older actresses are increasingly ignored and marginalized. The project “Aging out,” supported by the Volkswagen Foundation, focuses on the abundance of roles for women over 60 in European cinema, especially in France. However, the situation is quite different in the USA. The project analyzes around 400 films using qualitative and quantitative criteria, also examining the decision-making process behind casting choices. The project includes studying the impact of these films through collaborations with film festivals and organizations involved in elder care, with the goal of shaping intergenerational festival programs.

To read the full article in German, please follow the link below:

https://www.unireport.info/135186533/unireport-ausgabe-2-23-vom-5-april-2023.pdf

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