"Wonder Women"'s real super power: inspiration

Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-26 06:12:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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By Julia Pierrepont III

LOS ANGELES, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Sailing through its record-breaking opening weekend, then topping 652-million U.S. dollars worldwide, to date, including over 300 million U.S. dollars in North America, "Wonder Woman" is now breaking other barriers too.

Patty Jenkins' "Wonder Woman" continued its strong performance in box office in its fourth weekend, becoming the top-grossing live-action film directed by a woman.

In industry where women directed only seven percent of the top 250 grossing movies, despite their movies preforming as well in the box office as men's, it is no wonder that, in Hollywood, female superheroes are usually relegated to the role of side-kick or love interest to the death-defying, world-saving male superhero.

But director Patty Jenkins, a lifelong "Wonder Woman" fan herself, was determined to break that mold.

Jenkins told Movie Extras: "What is it to be a hero? Every child wants to be good and powerful and effective...The greatest thing about Wonder Woman is how good and kind and loving she is - yet none of that negates her power. The idea of getting to share things with kids and adults of the world... the journey to becoming a hero, is something beautiful. So I hope they have a great time and love the movie, but I also hope they feel inspired to be a hero in their own life..."

And inspired they are. The public has responded with resounding approval for her film, in which she depicts a strong, intelligent young female superhero with power, grace and wisdom. Above and beyond sheer spectacle, viewers experience Diana as a daughter, a comrade, a warrior and friend, steeped with integrity and compassion, which, Producer Zach Synder says, "comes from an absolute that she won't waver from."

Jenkins added that the film "is loving, forgiving - and a bad-ass! She's a young naive woman who is coming into the world with the best of intentions."

Chris Pine, Hollywood star of JJ Abrams blockbuster "Star Trek" franchise, who plays Steve Trevor opposite Gal Gabot's Wonder Woman, explains: "The way our two characters intersect, I'm that jaded realist who has seen the evils of the world. And she shows me there is still room for idealism."

And idealism is paving the way for a record showing in the box office, as the film uplifts millions around the world and gives them a glimpse of just how much a woman of strength and unshakable integrity can achieve.

In an astonishing outpouring of support, "Wonder Woman" fans have tweeted and facebooked with film director Jenkins, not just about how much they enjoyed the movie, but how much it has inspired them to aspire to be something greater.

When asked what makes a hero, Wonder Woman's facebook fans responded: "A hero is someone who always does the right thing to inspire others to do the same," "Someone who has the courage to speak out against evil, despite the specter of persecution," "Someone who makes the world a better place," "A Dad who never looked at me like I was different than my brothers. Who always made sure his kids were strong and happy," or "A father, mother, or mentor who teaches a young person what unconditional love and empathy mean. And how to practice it in everyday life."

And "Wonder Woman," as a worthy mentor and role model, is exactly what many kids, marginalized by the absence of inspirational female superheroes, have been looking for.

A kindergarten teacher recently tweeted what her little charges said and did after they'd seen the movie: "A girl very seriously asked the teacher if she could ditch her school uniform for Wonder Woman's armor because she wanted to be ready if she needed to save the world."

"But the best object lesson for the powers of inspiration might be when seven little girls playing together during recess said that since they all wanted to be Wonder Woman, they'd agree to be Amazons and not fight, but work together to defeat evil."

As Jenkins puts it, "it's about how to use your power, wisely and kindly." Jenkins has used her own power to create a hero that has already become the instrument of change for girls and boys everywhere.

"Wonder Woman"'s Queen of the Amazons, Connie Neilsen, told Good Morning America, "My son is going to grow up thinking strong, amazing women are the best thing there is!"

The same insightful kindergarten teacher tweeted: "If this one movie completely changed the way these girls and boys thought about themselves in one week, imagine what the next generation will achieve if we give them more movies like Wonder Woman?"

With only 17.3 percent of all executive positions, seven percent of film directors, seven percent of airline pilots, 21.4 percent of computer programmers, 34 percent of lawyers, 33 percent of doctors, and 5.7 percent of firefighter positions filled by women, there is till much for them to aspire to.

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