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Writers on Film

Hanna Flint is a Strong Female Character

Season 1, Ep. 75

I talk to Hanna Flint, critic, broadcaster and author of Strong Female Character, a personal and incisive reflection on how cinema has been the key to understanding herself and the world we live in.

A feminist of mixed-race heritage, Hanna has succeeded in an industry not designed for people like her. Interweaving anecdotes from familial and personal experiences – episodes of messy sex, introspection, and that time actor Vincent D’Onofrio tweeted that Hanna Flint sounded ‘like a secret agent’ – she offers a critical eye on the screen’s representation of women and ethnic minorities – their impact on her life, body image and ambitions – with the humour and eloquence that has made her a leading film critic of her generation. Divided into sections Origin Story, Coming of Age, Adult Material, Workplace Drama and Strong Female Character, the book ponders how the creative industries could better reflect our multicultural society.

Warm, funny and engaging and full of film-infused lessons, Strong Female Character will appeal to readers of all backgrounds and seeks to help us better see ourselves in our own eyes rather than letting others decide who and what we can be.

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