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Meryl Streep Champions Female-Led Films on Late Show

4/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Meryl Streep discussed evolving perceptions of female-led films on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
As The Devil Wears Prada 2 nears May 1, she said the original was dismissed as a 'chick flick'.
She cited Barbie and Mamma Mia! as evidence audiences want stories centered on women.
She noted the sequel had no budget constraints and described her character's inspiration as blending traits from Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood.

History

Historical Context

The feminist film movement emerged in the late 1960s and gained traction in the 1970s, coinciding with the Second-wave feminism movement. Organizations like Women in Film advocated for female representation, resulting in a 50% increase in female-led films by the 1990s. The International Festival of Women's Films, founded in 1972, showcased women's creative contributions, significantly influencing the industry's recognition of women's narratives.

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Story summary

Meryl Streep discussed evolving perceptions of female-led films on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
As The Devil Wears Prada 2 nears May 1, she said the original was dismissed as a 'chick flick'.
She cited Barbie and Mamma Mia! as evidence audiences want stories centered on women.
She noted the sequel had no budget constraints and described her character's inspiration as blending traits from Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood.

1 / 2