Hi all,

I'm taking a feminist film theory course this term and, as ever, I'm looking for the Mormon film tie-in. I'm contemplating writing about the disparity of depictions of females in the original Singles Ward -- you know, how all the women were either grotesque caricatures or the uptight heroine or the skanky barmaid.

Does anyone have any other thoughts about depictions of women in Mormon film? Have there been any worthwhile roles for females to speak of? Are there ways in which Mormon cinema has been particularly "male" in its production? (More than or in any interesting, distinguishing way other than regular Hollywood?) Are Mormon gender politics present in Mormon films?

I haven't seen it, but The Errand of Angels that played at the LDS Film Festival is about sister missionaries. And there was the film about Emma Smith that also played there. Again, can't vouch for either since I didn't see them.
The Work and the Glory films I thought had some strong female roles. Melissa Steed was especially strong in the first film and the Matriarch of the family Mrs. Steed was a strong character I thought as well. Lydia was a typical love interest, but at least she was shown as intelligent and educated.

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Upon the stage of a theater can be represented in character, evil and its consequences, good and its happy results and rewards; the weakness and the follies of man, the magnamity of virtue and the greatness of truth. The stage can be made to aid the pulpit in impressing upon the minds of a community an enlightened sense of a virtuous life, also a proper horror of the enormity of sin and a just dread of its consequences. The path of sin with its thorns and pitfalls, its gins and snares can be revealed, and how to sun it (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.243; Bookcraft, 199