Bambola
[Italy, 2017|18]
"Bambola" (the Italian word for “doll”) examines the image of women that is presented on Italian entertainment TV: an image, characterized by a variety of showgirls, that first appeared in the 1950s and has increased since Silvio Berlusconi’s time as Prime Minister.
Revealing costumes, heavy make-up and cosmetic surgery form the foundation of doll-like stereotypes which serve as orientation for young Italian girls. For many, it is a childhood dream to appear on TV in a role that hardly differs from that of a dancer at a strip bar.
As a general term for these female characters, the word "Velina" has established itself among the population and even in Italian dictionaries. It comes from the satirical news show "Striscia la notizia", which exists since 31 years and has more than 4.5 million viewers every evening. This show is a success story for Mediaset, Italy’s largest private broadcaster, which belongs to Berlusconi’s media empire.
Italy’s is one of the European Union’s most patriarchal cultures, and television still represents the main information medium for citizens.
The men on screen explain the world, wear suits and are always of a certain age. The women, as a rule, have no significant function, but are young, pretty and scantily clad.
Even anchorwomen must master the challenge of presenting not only content, but their own bodies as well. There are practically no alternative images of women available, particularly during prime time.
Bambola
[Italy, 2017|18]
"Bambola" (the Italian word for “doll”) examines the image of women that is presented on Italian entertainment TV: an image, characterized by a variety of showgirls, that first appeared in the 1950s and has increased since Silvio Berlusconi’s time as Prime Minister.
Revealing costumes, heavy make-up and cosmetic surgery form the foundation of doll-like stereotypes which serve as orientation for young Italian girls. For many, it is a childhood dream to appear on TV in a role that hardly differs from that of a dancer at a strip bar.
As a general term for these female characters, the word "Velina" has established itself among the population and even in Italian dictionaries. It comes from the satirical news show "Striscia la notizia", which exists since 31 years and has more than 4.5 million viewers every evening. This show is a success story for Mediaset, Italy’s largest private broadcaster, which belongs to Berlusconi’s media empire.
Italy’s is one of the European Union’s most patriarchal cultures, and television still represents the main information medium for citizens.
The men on screen explain the world, wear suits and are always of a certain age. The women, as a rule, have no significant function, but are young, pretty and scantily clad.
Even anchorwomen must master the challenge of presenting not only content, but their own bodies as well. There are practically no alternative images of women available, particularly during prime time.
