The Bechdel Cast Podcast is a podcast hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus that focuses on the representation of women in film, but over the years has also come to focus on representation of minority groups/people of color, social issues in film and more. The name of the podcast comes from the hosts utilizing the Bechdel Test as a baseline to measure a film’s representation of women. Each episode starts with a summary of the film, followed by in-depth discussion and analysis of representation, how issues and ideas are presented as well as a final wrap up. Oftentimes guest speakers of a range of occupations, gender identities, racial backgrounds, etc. are invited to provide deeper insight into the film and discussion of the episode.
Being able to explore different topics and representations through the examination of a variety of films allows a flexible approach towards different ideas. Ideas such as Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of the Other are explored when Durante and Loftus frequently identify how many films place white, heteronormative men as the default and centerpiece while placing women (and the LGBTQ+ community) in the role of the Other. Topics such as systemic injustice are also discussed in several films such as Den of Thieves where guest speaker Cerise Castle talked about how communities of color are less likely to have crime and their stories reported compared to more affluent and white communities, as well as the deeply rooted copaganda of America.
Although the podcast addresses serious topics, the tone remains conversational, and humor often appears to lighten the mood. Ultimately, each episode leaves the audience thinking about how the media and society has shaped our views. The movie The Dark Knight is often hailed as one of the greatest superhero movies, however, when analyzed it didn’t even manage to pass the Bechdel Test of two named women characters exchanging two lines of dialogue about a topic not about a man. The intersectional lens the Bechdel Cast Podcast uses to examine a work forces both the hosts and listeners to notice problematic issues they might not have noticed in a beloved film before, as well as the ripple effects these issues have on what we expect in the visual medium and in real life.