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Gretel Killeen Launches Female-Centric Movie Marathon On Foxtel

Putting the spotlight on women in front, and behind the camera.

In case you somehow missed it, a huge chunk of the female characters we see on the screen are either super stereotypical, highly sexualised or probably waiting for a prince.

But here's the thing: There is an increasing number of movies that don't prescribe to that thinking, and Gretel Killeen has taken on the job of proving it by hosting a five-movie 'Wonder Women' marathon conveniently, kicking off on Wednesday for International Women's Day.

Across five nights, Killeen has handpicked films from around the globe which showcase not only women in front of the camera, but also behind including the Australian TV premiere of South Korean psychological thriller 'The Handmaiden''.

"We really wanted to tell stories of women from all over the world, not just women from the films that we might have access to normally," Killeen told The Huffington Post Australia.

The result being five beautifully shot films which feature fearless women whose female spirit never dampens, even in the face of societal pressure, oppression and gender bias from both men and women.

The targeting of women who don't fit the norm -- like the burning of the witches -- and as someone who probably is one of those women, you know, I'm pretty sure hundreds of years ago I would have been burnt at a stake.

'Zoology', a Russian film tells the story of a woman who grows a tail, a quality that makes her different from the rest of society and therefore, a target.

"To me it is all about how women throughout history have been persecuted for being different," Killeen said.

"The targeting of women who don't fit the norm -- like the burning of the witches -- and as someone who probably is one of those women, you know, I'm pretty sure hundreds of years ago I would have been burned at a stake."

Another film, 'Girls Lost' follows two good friends who are bullied at school, and after ingesting a mysterious plant turn into boys overnight.

"It made me ask myself how much of my behaviour in life is determined by the label 'female'," Killeen said.

As a well-known personality in Australian showbiz, Killeen explains now more than ever our consciousness around female representation is higher, but it's a battle that's been going a long time.

"In every single arena whether it's the AFL or women in film, we're at this point because of the women who have forged a path and fought to tell their stories in order to get us all here."

"There are so many men who are championing women now as well and that's OK -- they're allowed to be impressed by how women think," Killeen said.

She hopes the movie marathon acts as a window to better understand where women are at around the world.

"If we're going to have a proper picture of how the world is, and how women are in the world, this is an important insight," Killeen said.

World Movies' Wonder Women airs exclusively on the World Movies channel at 8.30pm each night from Wednesday 8 March to Sunday 12 March.

For more information about World Movies visit worldmovies.com.au.

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