After sharing the idea for its inception in 2009, news of the documentary Miss Representation appeared in countless newspapers, magazines, websites, morning shows, and broadcasts across the country. The film made a splash at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival (and numerous other national festivals) and has since begun a dedicated social movement among women from all backgrounds—and it’s easy to see why. The documentary addresses the shocking lack of women in political roles in the context of representations of women in media in a matter-of-fact way, including commentary from empowered women from a multitude of industries. In an email interview with one of the film’s stars, our very own Devanshi Patel (Stanford ’14), we got exclusive insight on how the film has impacted her life, and how its lessons can impact yours.
First, tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your major, or activities and interests on campus?
“My two intended majors are Feminist Studies and Science, Technology, and Society. I am involved in Stanford Parliamentary Debate, I was recently appointed to the ASSU Community Board, and I’m working on starting a Stanford student group (Students for Education Reform)”
How did you get involved with this documentary project?
“In Spring 2009, I was working with Students for Gavin Newsom, and I came across the website for Girls Club Entertainment (Jennifer’s company that created MissRep) and read a brief description of the film. I had always been involved in politics and student mobilization in government, and reading this description just brought to light many of the issues I had constantly faced. I called the company, and it went something like, ‘Hi I’m Devanshi, I’m sixteen years old. And I want to work with you.’ Long story short, I started working in production, getting an inside look on the making of the film. While I was working with the team, Jen (the director) and I had many chats about my generation and the fact that the situation for women seeking powerful roles isn’t much different from previous ones. She asked me if I wanted to talk about these issues on camera…and two years and many shoots later, here I am.”
For how long did the camera crew shoot you? How did you find the experience—was it strange to have cameras following you around all day?
“We had filming days throughout my senior year of high school. The experience was a little strange at first, becoming comfortable with the camera, but I had fun with it.”
How did your friends and family react to your participation?
“All my friends and family were incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. They encouraged me to be myself and not get intimidated by the camera.”
As a representative of your generation, did you have specific ideas or messages in mind that you hoped to get across in the film?
“The main idea I wanted to display in the documentary is that even though women of my generation have made progress, the issues that previous generations have faced regarding discrepancies in power have not been completely resolved.”
You shared the screen with some extremely well-known public figures (Katie Couric, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinam, Rachel Maddow, Jennifer Lawless, Margaret Cho, Marie Wilson, Candy Crowley, Dana Perino, and, Gavin Newsom…just to name a few…). Did you get to know many of them well or have a ‘favorite’? Do you still keep in touch with any of your co-stars?
“Being in the film got me really close to the production team, including the director, Jen. We still collaborate regularly on many ideas, such as conferences for young women and other extensions of the work begun by the film. One of my favorite experiences was getting to know Condoleezza Rice. The team set up an interview at the Hoover Institute for the two of us to share ideas. Though I personally disagree with much of her ideology, it was awesome to see that there is a strong, accomplished woman behind all the politics and controversy.”
What was the hardest part of the film making process?
“The hardest part of the process was coping with the fact that whatever I said would be immortalized on screen. My words would have the potential to impact people in the real world.”
What were some of the “perks” of being in the film?
“I actually get recognized occasionally by people who have seen the film – not just on campus, but while I was at Sundance and even outside of school! I also got to meet and work with some of the most brilliant and inspiring female minds of all time – that is the greatest thing. They inspire me on a daily basis.”
As Miss Representation becomes more well-known, what kind of impact do you think it is making? Do you have any ideas about how the “movement” it has started will progress, or how you will personally be involved in the future?
“Right off the bat, Miss Representation was picked up by the Oprah Winfrey Network, which will allow the film and its movement to make use of Oprah’s incredible network of resources and viewers. Overall, I love that the film engages women of all ages in a constructive discussion.”
How can HerCampus readers get involved with the project, or make an impact on the problem of too few women in politics and unrealistic media representation?
“Female media sources like HerCampus are crucial to calling attention to these issues. They can mobilize women through fairer, more constructive reporting, but more importantly, they themselves represent a segment of the media, which is one of the main aspects of society that needs changing. The very existence of HerCampus and analogous outlets is helping women take incredibly important steps.”
Devanshi can typically be found lounging on Wilbur Field and painting her nails (she has the self-described “most extensive O.P.I. nail polish collection known to man”). To hear more from this Campus Celeb or get your questions answered, comment below!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Stanford chapter.