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The Ambitious Young Woman and the Contemporary British Sports Film

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah Hill

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Abstract

This article explores how the figure of the ambitious young woman is mediated within contemporary female-centredBritish sports films. The article begins by briefly outlining the relationship between postfeminism and neoliberalism andhighlights the relevance of these discourses to contemporary female-centred sports films. It then goes on to explore howpostfeminist, neoliberal values are mediated in the construction of the ambitious young woman through an analysis of theBritish film Chalet Girl (2011), using both textual analysis and analysis of the film’s extra-cinematic materials. The analysisemphasises the importance of national context within postfeminist and neoliberal discourses, highlighting in particular thesignificance of the film’s depictions of specifically British class hierarchies. The findings of the article demonstrate how, whileChalet Girl emphasises class binaries, the film ultimately upholds the neoliberal myth that (class) barriers can be overcomethrough determination, hard work and the right choices.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Hill S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Assuming Gender

Year: 2015

Volume: 5

Issue: 1

Online publication date: 01/04/2015

Acceptance date: 09/03/2015

Date deposited: 23/09/2017

ISSN (electronic): 2042-387X

Publisher: Cardiff University, School of English, Communication and Philosophy

URL: http://www.assuminggender.com/2015/06/the-ambitious-young-woman-and.html

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