One of the coolest things about the new exhibition at ACMI, Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion, is how it sheds new light on the portrayal of women in movies, including those from Australia. The exhibition, which has been in the works for five years, highlights 120 years of women’s presence in the film industry. Bethan Johnson curated this show at ACMI in Australia, and it’s eventually set to go on tour around the world.
It’s awesome that actress Geena Davis and her Gender in the Media institute are teaming up with ACMI for this. Not only is Davis a screen icon herself, but she’s also a pioneer in the fight for gender equality. Her institute digs into the representation of gender, race, disability, age, and body types on film. “You cannot be what you cannot see” is a guiding principle of the institute and a central theme of the exhibition, emphasizing the importance of representation.
The exhibition is packed with memorable movie moments, legendary costumes, artwork, photos, magazines, and even interactive activities. There’s a spot where you can create your own goddess image to take home. It features clips and costumes from well-known icons like Marilyn Monroe, Pam Grier, and Geena Davis herself, but also urges us to broaden our view of what a “goddess” can be and signify.
The curators have drawn from Australian culture to inform the exhibition’s selection and presentation, notably through soundscapes by Melbourne’s own Chiara Kickdrum. Deeper inside, in a dimly lit room, visitors can watch stars talk about issues like ageism, sexism, racism, and women’s advocacy at industry events. In one powerful speech, First Nations filmmaker Leah Purcell stresses the need for truth-telling to help Australia move forward.
The exhibition also highlights “Fearless Nadia” (Mary Ann Evans), an Australian star who broke ground as a stuntwoman in 1930s Bollywood. It features costumes designed by Australian Orry-Kelly, including Marilyn Monroe’s iconic outfit from Some Like It Hot.
The accompanying exhibition book features a candid quote from Monroe about her frustration with being typecast, expressing a desire to take on more meaningful roles. This idea underscores a major theme of the exhibition: the celebration and critique of the screen goddess’s portrayal, from classic Hollywood to today’s pop culture.
ACMI is challenging the outdated norms of “starlets” and “bombshells,” pushing for a view of women as boundary-breakers who defy stereotypes. At the start of the exhibit, you’ll see model Winnie Harlow in Monroe’s famous pink dress. Known for her work as a spokesperson for vitiligo, Harlow’s confidence and individuality make a strong statement about beauty standards today.
In various film clips, actresses like Olivia Colman and Helen Mirren emphasize the unrealistic beauty expectations in Hollywood and champion authenticity. Heavyweights like Audrey Hepburn, Kate Winslet, and Jane Fonda share their personal experiences of navigating the industry as their bodies changed over the years.
The exhibit also shines a light on gender fluidity, women of color, queer goddesses, and diverse action heroines, showing the myriad ways we perceive goddesses in 2023. The exhibit suggests that a goddess can embody whatever she chooses, advocating for greater representation and individuality, demanding that women be seen as individuals rather than mere symbols or ideals.
Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion challenges us to rethink our perspectives and the inherent biases, highlighting how media shapes identities based on cultural beliefs. The exhibition does an excellent job of pushing this conversation forward, and you can catch it at ACMI in Melbourne until October 1.