Octavia Spencer and Veronica Roth discussed the importance of young women in film during the Insurgent press junket on Friday.
On the same weekend that celebrated International Women’s Day, the two ladies addressed what it means to have a strong female heroine like Tris star in a film for all young adults, and the validation groups feel when they see themselves portrayed on screen.
“I think credit goes to Veronica for writing an amazing trilogy, and being strong enough and smart enough to write these characters and all these wonderful characteristics that usually aren’t scribed to women,” said Spencer, who plays Amity leader Johanna. “I think that young women, little girls, need to see that they don’t have to be the damsel in distress. They don’t have to not show their strength. It’s important that they see people like Tris, and Shailene in her own life, is equally strong.”
Roth, the author of the Divergent trilogy, touched on the importance of seeing yourself reflected in the media. “Until you see yourself [in the media] – even if it’s something you enjoy, whether it’s an action movie, a TV show you really like, whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be important, for it to be important to you to see yourself in it. When you’re the main character of the story, then it doesn’t feel like the world doesn’t give a crap anymore. It feels like you can act in the world, you can do something important and significant.
“That’s so important, especially for young people to be exposed to, to see themselves reflected in media. To me, it’s incredibly important to acknowledge that women aren’t a niche part of the population. We’re over half I think now – it’s like 51% – it feels insane that it’s taken so long for there to be a craving or desire for female-driven stories. Especially action stories. Women like action stories. I always have. Now we get to acknowledge this thing that has always existed.”
Thanks to YA books like The Hunger Games and Divergent, women are taking the lead in successful motion pictures. It’s a trend that we hope will continue so more and more diverse voices are heard in the media.
Insurgent follows Tris and Four’s journey to take down Jeanine (Kate Winslet), who wants all who are Divergent to be eliminated. The film opens in theaters March 20.
Related: Ansel Elgort messed with a reporter when she asked a dumb question at the Insurgent junket
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