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Women vs Hollywood
- The Fall and Rise of Women in Film
- Narrated by: Helen O'Hara
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
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Women vs Hollywood
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Summary
A call to arms from Empire magazine's 'geek queen', Helen O'Hara, that explores women's roles - both in front of and behind the camera - since the birth of Hollywood, how those roles are reflected within wider society and what we can do to level the playing field.
Hollywood was born just over a century ago, at a time of huge forward motion for women's rights. With no rules in place to stop them, there were women who forged ahead in many areas of filmmaking. Yet, despite the work of early pioneers like Dorothy Arzner, Mabel Normand, Mary Pickford and Alice Guy-Blaché, it soon came to embody the same old sexist standards. Women found themselves fighting a system that fed on their talent, creativity and beauty but refused to pay them the same respect as their male contemporaries - until now....
The tide has finally begun to turn. A new generation of women, both in front of and behind the camera, are making waves in the industry and are now shaping some of the biggest films to hit our screens.
In Women vs Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Film, film critic Helen O'Hara takes a closer look at the pioneering and talented women of Hollywood and their work in film since Hollywood began. And in understanding how women were largely written out of Hollywood's own origin story, and how the films we watch are put together, we can finally see how to put an end to a picture that is so deeply unequal - and discover a multitude of stories out there just waiting to be told.
Critic reviews
"Fascinating and righteous, Women vs Hollywood will be a game changer...as inspiring as it is informative." (Terri White, editor in chief of Empire)
"An enlightening page-turner, stacked with stories and stats that will have your jaw on the floor." (Anna Smith, host of the Girls on Film podcast)
"This is the film history we need: one that gives leading roles to people who usually only get to be background players." (Pamela Hutchinson, film historian and critic)
"A fascinating polemic." (Sunday Times)
"'A powerful, sobering and vital work." (The Mail on Sunday)
"A page-turning read, peppered with humour." (Sight & Sound)
"A must read." (Edgar Wright)
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What listeners say about Women vs Hollywood
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anthony K
- 25-12-22
Loved it from start to finish
Fascinating book.
Provides an interesting in-depth analysis of the Hollywood film industry in relation to women and other less-represented groups, all told by an author that clearly knows her stuff.
Well-researched, very comprehensive and well-reasoned.
Some real eye-opening stuff.
Expertly read by the author also
Much food for thought!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nick Ord
- 31-01-23
Go Girls!
I could listen to Helen read an IT Instruction Manual, but her voice here brings levity and warmth to what could, from the wrong author, be a heavy and preachy slog of a subject. Instead it remains at all times a funny, joyous and hopeful read, despite the most serious, often appalling and sometimes tragic material at hand. I could press play from the beginning right now to hear it again, in fact I think I just might...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Andy Godwin
- 07-10-21
A well researched and insightful book!
Helen O'Hara has clearly spent her time researching this informative journey, providing shocking statistics on how women in all types of roles within Hollywood have met barriers or humiliation with their careers in the film industry.
we can only hope that the changes already taking place, will help to inspire and inform the necessary moves that need to be taken to make working under the lights and cameras and knowing that actions have been made.
Utterly brilliant!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
- Janey L
- 14-03-21
Fascinating listening
This is a wonderful book, written by the fabulous Helen O'Hara, a film journalist I have admired for many years. The research and care that has gone into this book is clear, it's well structured so as to give each facet of the argument clearly, and though some of it (the Weinstein chapter especially) makes for uncomfortable listening, it's imperative that the stories are told, as they make up such an important part of the whole story.
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- Montmorency
- 18-03-21
Interesting and informative
A very informative, interesting, balanced and entertaining listen. Excellently written and read. A well researched, summarised and presented book on an extensive topic.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-07-21
Things you didn't know and they'll make you angry
The first audiobook I finished. Eye-opening insights, useful facts. 'Difficult women get stuff done.' 👍🏽
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Mael Dujardin
- 31-05-21
i was hoping for more drama, but still ok
the subject is worthy and meaty, but somehow the book is a bit dull, not sure why . Still worth reading to gain insight on a much neglected topic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Scott Matthewman
- 14-03-21
Fascinating, insightful, inspiring critique
Helen O’Hara dissects the history of Hollywood, from the silent era to the present day, from the times women had power within the studio system only to find it being taken away by men, to the present day as marginalised people find ways to find a voice in the wake of #MeToo, #OscarsSoWhite and other movements.
It’s expertly researched, written and read. O’Hara is the perfect guide, inspiring the listener with stories of success and enraging with tales of oppression. Essential for any fan of cinema.
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- Jamie Filmumentaries
- 20-04-21
A must read/listen
Everyone that's interested in the history and future of movies should read this book. 5 stars.
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- Penelope W
- 13-09-22
Brilliant exploration of Women and the Hollywood machine
This book goes into intriguing detail from the silent era film stars (they deserve more credit than we give them) through the Golden Age of Hollywood to 2020 tv and cinema today. To cover so much of film history in such an easy to consume way is no mean feat and Helen O’Hara has done just that - moving us across decades brilliantly. Yes it won’t cover everything, but there are other books out there if you’re interested in one specific era. This however is a brilliantly comprehensive work that I will be recommending to anyone who has ever watched a film. Let’s go to the movies and vote for what we want to see on the big screen!
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