Editing Feminist film theory (section)

===Realism and counter cinema===

The early work of [[Marjorie Rosen]] and Molly Haskell on the representation of women in film was part of a movement to depict women more realistically, both in documentaries and narrative cinema. The growing female presence in the film industry was seen as a positive step toward realizing this goal, by drawing attention to feminist issues and putting forth an alternative, true-to-life view of women. However, Rosen and Haskell argue that these images are still mediated by the same factors as traditional film, such as the "moving camera, composition, editing, lighting, and all varieties of sound."  While acknowledging the value in inserting positive representations of women in film, some critics asserted that real change would only come about from reconsidering the role of film in society, often from a semiotic point of view.<ref>Erens, Patricia. “Introduction” ''Issues in Feminist Film Criticism.''  Patricia Erens, ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. pp. xviii.</ref>

[[Claire Johnston (film theorist)|Claire Johnston]] put forth the idea that [[women's cinema]] can function as "counter cinema." Through consciousness of the means of production and opposition of sexist ideologies, films made by women have the potential to posit an alternative to traditional Hollywood films.<ref>Johnston, Claire. "Women’s Cinema as Counter Cinema."  ''Sexual Stratagems: The World of Women in Film.'' Patricia Erens, ed. New York: Horizon Press, 1979, pp 133–143.</ref> Initially, the attempt to show "real" women was praised, eventually critics such as Eileen McGarry claimed that the "real" women being shown on screen were still just contrived depictions.  In reaction to this article, many women filmmakers integrated "alternative forms and experimental techniques" to "encourage audiences to critique the seemingly transparent images on the screen and to question the manipulative techniques of filming and editing".<ref>Erens, Patricia. “Introduction” ''Issues in Feminist Film Criticism.''  Patricia Erens, ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. pp. xix.</ref>