The death of Carrie Fisher is one that saddens many different and often separated demographics. These include avid Star Wars fans, readers of her memoir, and those who admire a woman who achieved success and overcame so many barriers in the entertainment industry to emerge, though not without struggle, as an independent entity. Though I did not experience the original Star Wars releases, those films were a part of my childhood entertainment consumption. There are many troubling aspects to the character of Princess Leia, the only prominent female in the original movies. There were also ways that Fisher’s character was more empowered than other female roles. Perhaps most significant is her work just before her death. It reveals a fuller picture of a 19-year-old’s life on an almost entirely male set and in a relationship with a much older, married, Harrison Ford.
Only weeks before her death, Fisher did an interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air, which was a full discussion of the memoir and diaries published this year. The Princess Diarist includes her diary when she was working on the first film, as well as a memoir, in which she reflects on the diary and her life. Perhaps most striking is the deep lack of self-esteem Fisher possessed during filming and in her relationship with Ford. She said that she “did not pick” Ford because she never considered herself worthy of his attentions. Because Princess Leia was and still is a sex symbol, it seems unimaginable that she would feel this way, but when she described life on the set, it makes more sense.
There were no women on set, and all of the actors and employees were much older than she. In her interview, she described feeling completely alone, and the diary was the only way she expressed or discussed her feelings with others. She had no confidant, and she was attempting to hold her own among a set of more experienced actors. Her isolation explains some of her low opinion of herself and her talents. Much like a person suffering from body dysmorphia, she examined her work and herself from an unrealistic angle without other opinions to temper her own extreme judgements. This is something most women face, not only in entertainment, but also in daily life.
In a society that often fails to praise women’s personalities or work, it is extremely difficult for women and girls forming their adult personalities to enter their independent lives with much positive feedback from external sources. Seeing this play out and affect such a famous woman will hopefully spark some conversations and discussion of how our society talks about women and whether they are praised enough for non-physical attributes.
We also need to talk about how Fisher was treated on the Star Wars set. One especially poignant example is the iconic gold bikini scene. Fisher said she had to remain completely erect in posture to avoid what she calls “lines,” or the natural creases in a person’s hips and trunk when sitting. She also had no spoken lines, which represents the gender inequality of speech that still exists in film. She finished by pointing out that her character’s kidnapping was not the main tragedy of the scene—that was the possible failure of the two male leads.
Perhaps more troubling and less changed is the low number of women in film crews and directorial positions. This continues today, and it partially explains why so few women are nominated for awards in film production. I want to emphasize the “partial” qualifier, as there are certainly many other issues involved, from the culture of the industry to the demographics of awards selectors. It is also true that there is even less minority representation, another area of urgent importance. Despite that, I think it is a relevant point to draw from Fisher’s experience. We must then compare it to the realities of today’s film industry, celebrate progress, and draw attention to other areas of need.
As we reflect on Fisher’s life, I want to see more public discussion of all the issues her much too short life and its work raise. There should be conversations about expectations for women in this culture and economy. We need to examine the way we talk about women and how to better facilitate their success in every industry. These are far-reaching hopes, but there are also things to be done on a much smaller scale. Tell a woman, especially if you are a boss, when she has done well on a task or when she has appeared strong in a negotiation. Encourage girls by serving as a role model and praising them when they act on their own behalf. Allies to women, support their independence by being available as equals to discuss their experiences in a way that was not available to Fisher in her workplace. Assist coworkers in their efforts, not by acting as their protector, but by making yourself available as a resource. Finally, have a more open eye in your daily life with which to notice manifestations of these problems, and do not hesitate to point them out to others or offer to discuss that which is problematic.
As tributes and celebrations of Fisher’s life emerge, many of them will focus on her many other contributions, including a one-woman show about her struggle with addiction and her 1990 memoir, Postcards from the Edge, all of which are wonderful sources for further reflection. In this time, I will focus on the gift she has given with her newest memoir. With it, she left an assignment for the rest of us, and instead of lamenting the unfairness in her story, we should get to work. I hope that it will be used as an informational resource and as a piece of evidence to support the fight for greater representation, equality, and celebration of women.
If you’d like to check out the interview with Terry Gross, you can find it here. I highly recommend it!