The 2024 film Rumours has arrived at a critical moment in global politics, not only for its biting satire of world leaders but also for its humorous dissection of gender stereotypes. The film, directed by Guy Maddin alongside Evan and Galen Johnson, portrays the fictional chaos that unfolds during a G7 summit, where absurdity reigns supreme. Central to the narrative is Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of German Chancellor Hilda, who navigates a bizarre political landscape that includes pulsating brains in the forest and an inexplicable zombie takeover.
At its core, Rumours examines the outdated perceptions surrounding women in power. As Blanchett explains, the film leans into these stereotypes, with a specific focus on how female leaders are scrutinized far more harshly than their male counterparts. “There’s still an obsession with whether women in power are mothers, how they dress, or their sexual orientation,” Blanchett notes. This contrast to the lax scrutiny male leaders receive adds layers to the film’s satirical nature, where world leaders’ incompetence and fragile egos are laid bare for all to see.
Perhaps the sharpest critique of sexism comes when Denis Ménochet’s French President Sylvain encounters a giant brain in the woods, humorously declaring that it must belong to a woman because it’s smaller than a man’s brain. This moment epitomizes the absurdity of gender bias, showcasing the film’s ability to make viewers laugh while also highlighting the persistent sexism that remains rampant in politics.
The film’s satirical edge is magnified through its caricature of global leaders, particularly when Blanchett’s Chancellor Hilda, Alicia Vikander’s Celestine, and the UK’s Prime Minister Cardosa find themselves intertwined with the emotionally erratic Canadian Prime Minister, Maxime, who sports a man-bun. The film not only mocks traditional gender roles but also brings to light the fragility of patriarchal power structures, which often crumble under the weight of their own egos.
Rumours offers an important reflection on the limitations still faced by women in leadership positions. Through its exaggerated satire, the film exposes the ludicrousness of the assumptions surrounding female leaders and challenges viewers to rethink gender norms. As Blanchett says, the film invites us to collectively laugh at the absurdity of modern-day sexism, a laughter that might just be the first step toward change.