C4 recognises the Genderquake with a season of programmes about gender

Many of us used to view gender as straightforward; you were born into one of two tribes, pink or blue, and from that point onwards many aspects of how you lived your life were already prescribed.

Gender roles and gender equality have been challenged every few generations, with campaigns as varied as women's suffrage, shared parental leave, Come Out For Trans Equality, the #MeToo movement and many more. The gender pay gap is on everybody’s lips and the fight for equality is far from over, and with the Gender Recognition Act under scrutiny, is it not only gender roles but also the very definition of gender that’s being redefined?

Channel 4 is airing a season of programmes exploring the gender debate - from feminism, gender privilege and sexual violence to gender identity and gender fluidity. Kicking off the Genderquake season is a two part factual entertainment series looking at gender fluidity and attitudes to gender among a group of eleven young people in Britain today. In her first UK documentary Munroe Bergdorf explores gender dysphoria and identity as she undergoes life-changing surgery. No subject is taboo for Riot Girls who take on the gender pay gap, manspreading and pubic hair in a series of pranks. A collaboration with ballet dancer Sophie Rebecca and spoken word artist Ash Palmisciano will explore the theme of transition. Sophie is one of the first transgender women to pass the Royal Academy of Dance Examination. Ash is an actor and writer who also happens to be a transgender man.

Channel 4’s Deputy Director of Programmes, Kelly Webb-Lamb, said: 'The issues around gender and gender identity are some of the most charged and hotly debated of our time. Through a collection of entertaining, thoughtful and provocative programmes, this season will feature a broad range of inspiring people who add their varied and informative voices to the wider debate.'

Genderquake
Although there have always been transgender people, awareness of gender-fluidity has exploded into public consciousness in recent years with an increasing number of young people feeling less tethered to the gender they were born into and the gender roles expected of them.

Genderquake will explore the gender identities being adopted by a new generation of millennials. To get to the heart of the topic eleven young Brits will live together under one roof for one week. The eleven people come from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality and all have strong – and varied - opinions on the subject. During their stay they will get the chance to get to know each other and explore their differing views. But with such a divisive topic at the heart of their stay, will anyone’s opinions and viewpoints be swayed along the way with preconceptions changed by the end of their time together?

Genderquake: the debate
Channel 4 will be holding a studio discussion where a wide-ranging panel of guests will look at what gender means in 2018. Is gender in the body or the brain? Should it be easier to change gender? Does gender matter anyway?

What Makes a Woman? W/T
Transgender model and social activist Munroe Bergdorf examines the changing world of gender and identity in today’s society, as she becomes both author and subject of her first UK documentary.

The film follows Munroe as she undergoes dramatic facial feminisation surgery as part of tackling her gender dysphoria, a hugely personal moment that kick starts an exploration of the central question – "What Makes a Woman?" (working title).

It’s an immersive, personal journey, that takes Munroe from walking the runway at New York Fashion Week, to having her brain scanned in a cutting-edge gender experiment, all the while exploring her own identity.

She will interrogate the wider science and social norms of gender, as she joins groups of women of all persuasions, alongside leading experts, to understand how our body, behaviour and brains help define who we are.

Outspoken in her views about transgender rights, Munroe will also be challenged by those with opposing thoughts and opinions on what is a fiercely debated issue.

Munroe Bergdorf said: “I'm beyond excited to share this documentary with everybody. The question 'What Makes a Woman?' has followed me throughout my life, so filming has been an emotional and turbulent journey of finding answers, and discovering if any finite answers even exist. I’m looking forward to being challenged and hope this documentary spark.

Riot Girls
Riot Girls – namely Grace Campbell, Sophie Duker, Jen Wakefield and Cam Spence – are some of the UK’s most outspoken and exciting comedic talents.

In a series of pranks, stunts and sketches these four funny and forthright feminists will draw attention to just a few issues close to their hearts in a refreshingly bold and brazen way.

In this 1 x 30' hidden camera prank show the Riot Girls will tackle a variety of topical issues; so whilst they highlight the issues surrounding the Gender Pay Gap via the ‘Gappuccino’ one moment, the next they take on pubic hair with the #savedontshavemovement. They also see how passengers deal with them ‘wo-manspreading’ into their space on public transport, all with unsuspecting members of the public.

Random Acts: The Lady That Dances
A collaboration with ballet dancers Sophie Rebecca and spoken word artist Ash Palmisciano in performance exploring the theme of transition. Sophie is one of the first transgender women to pass the Royal Academy of Dance Examination. Ash is an actor and writer who also happens to be a transgender man.

Ends

Production credits:
Genderquake
Series Producer: Hamish Fergusson
Executive Producers: Nick Hornby and Tina Flintoff
Production Company: Optomen

Genderquake: The debate
Producer: Anne Henry
Executive Producer: Chris Shaw
Production Company: ITN Productions

What Makes A Woman? (w/t)
Producer/Director: Karen McGann
Senior Producer: Cara Cummings
Executive Producers: Laura Jones and Leila Monks
Prod co: Antidote Productions

Riot Girls
Series Producer: Matthew Gillbe
Executive Producer: Gary Reich
Production Company: Brown Eyed Boy

Random Acts
Producer: Jessica Beckett
Director Joppe Rog,
Production Company: Present Plus Film

April 18, 2018 8:00am ET by Pressparty   Comments (0)

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