Bechdel Test Movie List

Katniss has conversations with her mother, her sister (Primrose Everdeen), Effie Trinket and Rue. Only in the conversation with Rue is a love interest mentioned.

Probably the least questionable pass that I've seen this year. Great movie too. The universe in general seems pretty egalitarian, for example with boys and girls being treated equally as competent warriors.

It easily passed in the first few minutes. I'm trying to think, does it pass the reverse bechdel test? The only scene I can think of that might would be Haymich and Peeta on the train, but it was such a brief scene I don't remember... the rest of the conversations either had a woman in them or were about Katniss IIRC.

This movie passes the test in the very first scene.

who cares if a movie passes the "reverse bechdel test"? the whole point of the bechdel test is about seeing something different than the norm. we see developed male characters every day; we don't need a test to confirm that patriarchy's still going strong.

It DOES pass the reverse Bechdel test, as the two male TV hosts talk about the wasp things (their names are displayed on screen, I'm pretty sure). Still, good, female-centric action film.

Red- it does matter, but not for the reasons you think. Having female centric movies to balance out male centric movies means having movies that do NOT pass the reverse bechdel test. It happens very infrequently, though, so it's always worth noting when it does.

Idiomatic- I didn't even think of that scene. I'm pretty sure the second host is named. Still, it's nice to see a movie that is so female centric that it comes very close to not passing!

I think that the importance of passing the reverse bechdel test is to acknowledge that some movies dont have many characters or conversations, giving a reason for a failed test that is not caused by male domination. I think it is important when a movie fails that we check the reverse bechdel test to see why. I believe looking at movies logically this way strengthens our argument. This however isn't an issue in the Hunger Games as it passes easily

It passes the reverse Bechdel test as well. Seneca Crane and President Snow have a conversation about the games.

Wouldn't it be easier to call it the Ledhceb Test, rather than the Reverse Bechdel Test?

Victor, I am not sure the "egalitarian" nature of the hunger games (as in the games themselves rather than the movie) can be taken as a positive message for feminism that says something like that men and women are equal as warriors. Remember that children can be called up to fight in the hunger games, too. The point is that the regime is so cruel that it pits people against each other *in spite of* their inequalities as warriors. Hence, you can't say that the film/book as a whole treats men and women as equal in this regard.

Obviously passed the test brilliantly. One thing I loved about these books is how secondary characters, whose roles would often cause them to be male by default in most movies or books, are portrayed as female. The leader of district 13 being female in book three is a good example.

holy shit loled at victors description of the universe as egalitarian. the entire point of the story is that there is a brutal and sadistic class system that people must struggle against to survive.

I'm new to this site so correct me if I'm wrong but don't the female characters have to be ADULT women or can they be young girls too? The only named adult female character then is Effie Trinket. The tributes are all kids and Katniss's mother isn't named.

No, the female characters do not have to be adult in order to pass the test, so this movie still passes with flying colors within the very first scene (and interestingly enough, Katniss's mother never being named is carried over from the book themselves, where she is never referred to as anything other than Katniss's mother or Mrs. Everdeen).

The point of the test is to gauge the presence of female characters in a movie. Disqualifying someone because of their age is arbitrary and stupid.

To AFF: Based on earlier interpretations on both this site and otherwise, all female characters regardless of age must be considered women for this test.

After all, the point of the Bechdel test is to evaluate female presence; not grown-up presence...

So the film definitely passes the Bechdel test with flying colors.

Then to avoid confusion they should rephrase the rule at the top of this site to say "female" instead of "women". And while they're at it, change "man" to "male".

It's ridiculous that anyone would think this movie DOESN'T pass the Bechdel test with flying colors. That "!" should be taken off. This movie radically changed the scene of action movies. Now, producers are realizing that women CAN be protagonists in action films.

Nicole, I disagree that a good movie should fail the reverse Bechdel test; I am sick of Hollywood telling me that there are movies for everyone with just men in them and chick flicks. I want movies to reflect reality; a reality where girls talk to girls, gilrs talk to boys and boys talk to boys!

I agree with you Amy

It may technically pass the test, however there are NO strong female friendships or relationships of any kind.
All of Katniss's equals, mentors, people she turns to for support are men.

Cathy: Katniss has a strong relationship with Prim, and toes talk to Effie a significant amount. She makes a friendship with Rue, and her mother (while not named) is still spoken to. Very hard to say that this movie can "technically pass the test."

Clearly "Cathy" hasn't read the book, which (although we are talking about the movie here I know) shows Katniss having an important female friendship with Madge. She also has a strong relationship with her sister, who she slowly starts to realize is not a fragile flower and someone who needs protecting, but someone who is strong and capable and has every right to also risk her life for the causes she believes in. And Katniss doesn't really turn to Haymitch or Peeta in case you didn't notice, or really Gale. She trusts Cinna perhaps, but other than that she is very self-reliant and saved her family by herself after her father died. Katniss trusts only herself in the books (and the movie, but you cannot read her thoughts so you simply have to be good at deciphering body language and facial expressions). SHE saves Peeta, SHE figures out how to manipulate the Games and the Capital, SHE is the threat to Snow and the face of the rebellion, SHE has the power in this story. Peeta is the charming, smooth talker, but the people of Panem know who the real rebel, the real hero is... And it's Katniss they choose to listen to/follow. The fact that anyone questions that this movie/series passes the Bechdel test is ridiculous.

I agree with Lauren and Amy. First, a gripe. I begged my husband to watch this with me because I love this movie so much and because I suffer his Steven Seagal movies. But he complained and said that the movie was outlandish and ridiculous. It seems to me that too many men do not want to see a woman in the role of an action hero, and, if she is, the movie is automatically a "chick-flick" and not worth their watching.

If you read the book and watch the movie, you can plainly see that it is Katniss, and not Peeta or Haymitch, who is the hero, and who is the spirit of the rebellion. President Snow knows this too, which is why his eyes are so full of hate and resentment as he crowns her (and not Peeta) victor of the games. Peeta is the gentle one, with all the traits and warmth that have been traditionally considered 'feminine' attributes. She, on the other hand, is hard, independent, and in control of her emotions, a noble spirit with the heart of a hero.

I did want to add one thing: In one of those movie magazines where they give you a "behind the scenes" look at the actors and actresses, one of the young actors mentioned that the girls were requested to slim down (or to keep slim) while the boys were requested to "buff up." I detest this double-standard that Hollywood has towards female and male bodies.

The plot is extraordinarily feminist!Not only is the heroine female and has a strong relation with her sister and her fellow competitor (Rue), she takes the initiative in her love relation. Moreover, she hunts, whereas he picks berries; she saves him, not the other way round. Her former loveinterest stays at home and has become the caretaker, while she lives an adventure and faces death.

The patriarchy isn't a thing, and the Ledhceb test is just as important as the Bechdel test.

The movie has to have at least two women in it - Yes! Many women in the film, including Katniss, Rue, her mother, sister, and Effie.

who talk to each other - Yes! Katniss often speaks with other women about survival, her strategy, and how she plans to make it in the Hunger Games.

about something other than a man - Katniss and Rue talk about survival, the games, and sticking together.