Women of Independence in the Movies

The Way Physical Place and Geography Shape Identity in Films

The paper entails a dialogue on the way physical place and geography give upward thrust to identity in the films, Out of Africa and Thelma & Louise. The movies are perfect examples of movies that have used landscape and open spaces to represent constrictions which avoid women to some locations with an imagination on ladies gender-free zones. Women were most likely to be observed as susceptible and unable to defend themselves in different cases of life. They had been expected to depend on men for their safety and support. However, the representations of women in film have evolved with time; ladies are pictured to be independent and to make decisions that are not influenced with the aid of their sex.

The Film Thelma & Louise

In the film, Thelma & Louise, the chief protagonist, Thelma, is harassed by a man who they were dancing with and forcefully kisses her and takes her clothes off with the intentions of rape. Louise finds them and threatens to kill the man if he does not leave her alone. After the man has released Thelma, he continues insulting her which triggers Louise’s anger and she kills him. The two women disappear and never look back.

The Film Out of Africa

Out of Africa film pictures Karen Dinesen who suffers in a marriage where her spouse has affairs which result in her contracting syphilis. She separates from her husband and continues her mission in Africa, although financially she becomes broke and returns home. Both films depict women who broke the mold to live a life that is gender-free. The repercussions of their acts may have resulted in breaking from men and living independently. Also, the women are contented, and a change of character is observed for Thelma and Louise who change their sexual orientation.

The Role of Physical Place and Geography in Shaping Identity

The movies show how physical place and geography give rise to identity which is derived from different ways to give a constructed meaning, a sense of belonging, and mediate change. The women in the movies display their identity through their change of behavior, experiences, places, and attitudes. They connect to different areas, develop bonds, perceptions, and practices.