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Films more likely to star an actor called Chris or a talking animal than a woman over 60, study finds
Emma Thompson among voices supporting anti-ageism campaign, which has uncovered striking findings in top-grossing UK films over past three years
TL;DR
- Films are four times more likely to feature a talking animal than a woman over 60.
- Six films starred an actor called Chris, with Chris Pratt appearing in half.
- Only five films in the top 100 featured an older woman.
- Audience surveys show one in six would see a film with an older female lead, and 33% feel insufficient films are made starring women over 60.
- Older female characters are often depicted as passive, pitiable, or irrelevant to the plot.
- Representation of older women in British films has been poor, with female characters aged 65+ being less likely than men of the same age to be featured.