While most women are plus-size, they represent less than 2% of images in media. From Kelli's uninhibited sexual prowess in Insecure to Glow's range of ages, ethnicities, and body types, we're definitely getting better at improving diversity on our screens. There is still, however, a long way to go. So, in a bid to celebrate championing women's bodies whichever way we can, here's four films/plays/TV show you should absolutely catch this Spring.
After a freak accident, Kimberley Chambers was left nearly totally unable to walk. Instead o giving up, however, she went from being close to getting her right leg amputated to becoming the third woman in history to complete the Oceans Seven challenge. She then became the first woman to swim thirty miles from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge — navigating the world's biggest great white sharks.
So, yep, an incredible woman and athlete rolled into one. Kim Swims, which is released on UK Netflix this month, follows her training journey and is one of the uplifting stories you'll hear this year. A must-see.
Available now on Netflix
After a resounding success at Edinburgh Fringe, Ell Potter and Mary Higgins' theatre show, Hotter, is now showing at the Soho Theatre.
Both are young queer women, who, like many of us, have struggled with their body image and find themselves frustrated by the ubiquity of the British silence around the subject.
To help, the duo interviewed women and non-binary people between the ages of 11 and 97 about their bodies, and more specifically about what gets them hot (the play's title is a combination of both their surnames).
Snippets of conversation from their Grandmother's community centres offer the most pertinent anecdotes, while the combustion of their Mum's embarrassment is all too familiar with us. If you want a funny but highly relatable show, this is for you.
On now until September 7, at sohotheatre.com
Hiyori Kon is a prodigy in her field of sumo wrestling. The twenty-year-old is from Ajigasawa, a snowy northern fishing town in Japan and has been competing since she was six.
Yet the ancient traditions which dominate the sport in Japan mean women cannot compete professionally. The professional wrestling rings are deemed sacred for men in Japan, and men only. Thank goodness, then, that Little Miss Sumo highlights the ardent misogyny in Japan's national sport.
Available for the public to see later on in the year. Next showing at Doc Edge and Sydney Film Festival.
Misbehaviour is an upcoming comedy-drama directed by BAFTA-winner Philippa Lowthorpe., based on the true story of the Miss World pageant in London.
In the 1970s, the pageant was watched by more than 100 million viewers. Aired on the BBC, they were deemed customary national entertainment, often with a male presenter commenting on their appearance. One day, however, the newly formed Women’s Liberation Movement took over and disrupted the event with their message: 'why do you have to be beautiful to get noticed?'
The activists argued it was reductive and only showed one body type (which was true). When the show resumed, the winner was not the Swedish favourite but Miss Grenada — the first black woman to be crowned Miss World, causing an even greater uproar.
The film is set to star Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Keeley Hawes.
Coming to screens later this year