FEATURE:
A New Bond
PHOTO CREDIT: cottonbro studio/Pexels
Exploring the Female Spy Theme
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I have been thinking about…
IN THIS PHOTO: Sean Connery as James Bond
a music tradition that really only applies to spy films fronted by men. In fact, it is the James Bond franchise that has these lush and dramatic songs. Celebrating this hero. The grandeur of them. Everyone has their own favourite Bond theme. Although women have sung Bond themes – everyone from Tina Turner to Shirley Bassey to Madonna -, they are always singing about the male spy. Although the Bond franchise will continue and is now going to be made by Amazon, they will cast male actors in the lead. Perhaps they cannot deviate because the spy is called ‘James’ Bond, so it wouldn’t fit necessarily to have a woman play that role. There have been films featuring women as spies. However, we do not really talk about the theme songs. The James Bond themes have a legacy and reputation of their own. They are legendary. In turn, that adds a lot of heat and extra credit to the films. In terms of ‘lost’ Bond themes, there have been songs released that could have made it. Or artists who seem like they are natural fits for the franchise. Like Lana Del Rey. However, I do wonder whether we need to shift focus. There are not a lot of film spy films. Although it is quite a niche genre, I would love to see a powerful theme song scoring this incredible film. I got the thought when recently listening to a Bond theme on the radio. Feeling how cool it would be if there was this slew of new theme songs that either backed a franchise with a woman in the lead or there was at least a one-off. When listening to Iraina Mancini’s 2023 album, Undo the Blue, there is a song on there that has that spy feel. Take a Bow is the final song on the album and would be a perfect fit for a spy film led by a woman. I don’t feel like the Bond series has moved on in terms of how it represents woman. Always having this notoriety because of sexism and a chauvinism, there have been small steps in the newer films.
Even though it is not non-existent, there have not been many examples of female spy films. I think there do need to be more. As much as anything, it would have to add to a genre that is largely male-dominated. Also having songs by women featuring in the credits. Women are not often represented on the screen in positions of power. There has been more inclusion in superhero films. However, these are only small steps. Atomic Blonde and Salt have shown that female-led spy thrillers can be commercially successful and critically acclaimed. I have always found the James Bond themes a little flawed. In the sense they are spotlighting a fictional character that is seriously flawed. There have been articles and pieces written arguing why it is important to give women more of a central role when it comes to spy fiction. There are some great examples of spy films where women lead. Not many have the sort of epic themes synonymous with the James Bond franchise. These one-off films are great. However, there has not been anything as successful and long-running as James Bond. Whilst it is more important to talk about the film rather than its theme, I do feel that it is a gap. These dazzling and evocative theme songs that will endures for years and decades. I guess it is vital that there is greater representation across all genres. Making sure that there is a shift. There is still a way to go in that sense. The spy film was always traditionally about men. Growth and diversification has occurred. Even so, the spy theme has always been tied to James Bond. It would be great to change that. Not only with more standalone films. Creating these new franchises. James Bond feeling quite old and in need of a refresh perhaps. The themes are legendary and almost as regarded as the films. But always about the same character. I feel that it is time to…
SHIFT the focus.