"Twilight" Changing the Role of Women

     How can the “Twilight Saga: New Moon” change the role of women? This movie opened in box offices Friday November 20, 2009 breaking records set by previous big money makers. It started with a screenplay directed by a woman. Women from all age categories are watching the movie. The role of women just might result in a change for which category of people new movies is developed. The business savvy developers have got to be taking note.

     With sales of the “Twilight” Saga selling more than four times the tickets of its predecessor did before its opening, it is big business. Big business changes culture. This blockbuster broke records previously established by the "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" epics. About five years ago “Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” set the record for all time advance ticket sales. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” advance ticket sales broke that record. This proves a screenplay does not have to include the male group of viewers for success.

     The female director, Catherine Hardwicke, directed the very successful first chapter in the saga. The male director, Chris Weitz sadly replaced her for the second chapter, despite the fact that the first film grossed $383.6 million worldwide. Since her replacement, reports say the movie suffered artistically. This could mean the movie also lost financially. Under no circumstances will the movie be a failure. Nevertheless, it might have proved even more profitable if decision makers had not fixed something that was not broken. It is hoped the saga will not lose any of its following from this change.
     Although the movies biggest female audience comes from teenagers, more women than them are watching. The age of women viewing the movie and reading the novels is not limited to the young. In fact, it includes the very young to the very old. It does depend on the demographics of a particular area, but advanced ticket sales show twenty-seven percent of the ticket buyers are female twenty-five to thirty-four years of age and thirty-five percent under the age of twenty-five (Harding, 2009).

     In conclusion, anticipation that the business decision makers will take note of this leap for women in the role of movie business has to excite equality seekers everywhere. Despite the moral vacuum of the movie, it is a moneymaking lesson. Those women have the ability to form a male limited or nonexistent male market for movies. The content of the show might not compete with Nobel Peace Prizewinning work; nonetheless, it certainly should convict Hollywood that there is no doubt in female achievement and ability. Once this is recognized, profitable ideas will follow. Knowing they may develop and target this cultural market for many other products. When the numbers crunch and profits show, will they get nervous and frightened or finally start to change their approach and outlook to female capabilities?

References

Harding, K. (2009). Could “new moon” be a feminist triumph?. Retrieved November 22, 2009, from. http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/11/20/twilight_and_women/print.html

Manny. (2009). "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" trailer! it's very Jacob-centric!. Retrieved November 22, 2009, from. http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/index.php?m=08&y=09&entry=entry090821-104500