Mean Girls Was Actually Sexist
If you are a millennial, then you've probably watched one of the most iconic movies of the millennia - Mean Girls. Mean Girls is marking its 10th year anniversary this spring - yes, you are that old. This anniversary is something hard to believe, especially because quotes from the film are still put on most memes and gifs daily all over the internet.
The Tina Fey-created film has been quoted over time because of its wit and honesty when it comes to humour. These jokes actually depict some issues that women and young girls face. However, the Motion Picture Association of America or MPAA did not appreciate this honesty at the beginning. They almost gave the Mean Girls an R-rating because the director mentioned the female genitalia by its actual name on the film.
The MPAA made an issue from numerous lines in the film's script, compelling the writers to compromise on some.
Director Mark Waters fought with the MPAA's decision on some of the lines. He said in an interview with Vulture, "The line in the sand that I drew was the joke about the wide-set vagina. The ratings board said, 'We can't give you a PG-13 unless you cut that line.' We ended up playing the card that the ratings board was sexist."
"We told [the MPAA, 'You're only saying this because it's a girl, and she's talking about a part of her anatomy. There's no sexual context whatsoever, and to say this is restrictive to an audience of girls is demeaning to all women.'"
Fortunately, the MPAA conceded and the famous vagina line was not removed from the movie.
It takes real courage for Waters to stand up to the MPAA. Fortunately, we have directors like this who can take action so that Hollywood can rid itself of all the misogyny that it has.