Why this blog? I am 74 years old and since my retirement at the age of 60  I have been studying the representation of older women in feature films, as well as ageing and ageism.  I have been concentrating on films where the older woman is the main character or part of an ensemble.  I have seen  a great number of available films. I have also led an ‘Older Women in Film’ group for this length of time.

Over the years, I have tried to express the  view of an older feminist viewer but I have encountered ageism at many levels. It started with the professor  who replied: “but who is interested in older women?” when I asked him to supervise me for a PhD.  I gave up on the academic course and decided to go to the grass roots and  formed an older women viewer group.  Of course ageism pervades a great number of the films I came across in my research. The widely distributed films are often the most ageist/sexist. However, others deserve a wider audience specially an audience of older women. But due to the  male and youth oriented attitudes of distributors, critics and cinema programmers these films remain unseen and the sexism/ageism of  more  famous  films ignored.

I am tired of battling with institutions. When they seem to listen  they appropriate the idea and change it beyond recognition. In this blog I will share my knowledge and experience,  with whoever is interested.