Becky Parry’s scientific contributions

This chapter presents a case study of the film Comedy Queen (2022) by Swedish film director Sanna Lenken. The case study includes an analysis of three key scenes from the film, an interview with the film director and an interview with a film curator who screened the film for young audiences. The broader context of the development of Swedish films for young audiences is described, alongside a brief account of some of the stereotypes, and absences in the ways girls have traditionally been represented. In conclusion, I make the case that Comedy Queen is an example of the way girls in Swedish children’s film have become both central protagonists and fully rounded and developed characters. I link this to the prioritisation of children’s film in Sweden and in doing so, I propose that there are important lessons to be learnt about providing support for feminist, women filmmakers, enabling them to make films with universal themes which feature girls at the centre of the narrative.