Female in focus: interactions with Greta Gerwig's films on Letterboxd Mujer en foco: interacciones con las películas de Greta Gerwig en Letterboxd

Abstract

Academic productions on gender studies have grown significantly in the field of Communication, especially since 2015. The cultural construction of what it means to be a woman, particularly in the audiovisual industry, is shaped by misogynistic and sexist discourses that devalue women's labor. This study explores how audiences perceive films directed by women, focusing on Letterboxd, a social network dedicated to film discussion and discovery. The methodology includes a quantitative analysis of user comments on Greta Gerwig's films — Lady Bird (2017), Little Women (2019), and Barbie (2023) — to identify recurring terms and themes related to gender. The objectives are: 1) to analyze interactions with Gerwig's films on Letterboxd; 2) to identify the main topics discussed by users; 3) to highlight relevant terms connected to gender discussions; and 4) to understand the platform's role in shaping audience engagement with women-centered films. Preliminary findings suggest that user interactions reflect female experiences and gender power dynamics, underscoring Letterboxd's potential as a tool for studying gender representation in audiovisual works. This research also emphasizes the platform's unique ability to capture audience perceptions in a structured and accessible way. The study contributes to broader discussions about gender in cinema and digital culture, opening avenues for future research on the reception of female-directed films in digital spaces.