Well aren’t we a lucky bunch? The Queen of Arendelle surprised Hong Kong this week by announcing that she has dedicated her world-shaking anthem,“Let It Go” to the ladies of the city for International Women’s Day (March 8). The Coconuts team was lucky enough to grab a quick snow cone with everyone’s favourite feminist to glean her thoughts on Frozen, “Let It Go” and Hong Kong’s women’s issues.
Queen Elsa, welcome back! We are moved that you dedicated your smash hit “Let It Go” to Hong Kong women this year – why us?
Anna and I visited Hong Kong during our gap year in 2013. Despite loving what the city had to offer, we were surprised that women’s issues were largely left unaddressed in a modern metropolis with so much money. As Hong Kong almost matches the financial strength of Arendelle, we were shocked that despite 56 percent of graduates being female, 80 percent of people here earning less than HKD4,000 per month are women.
We hear you, Queen Elsa! What message do you think a smash hit like “Let It Go” can send to Hong Kong on International Women’s Day?
As a well documented feminist, I believe this year’s International Women’s Day slogan: “#makeithappen”, applies to all women, including the women of Hong Kong. Even two years ago, females only made up a mere 10 percent of listed company directors here.
This isn’t right, but social mobility is possible! Like my iPhone screen, Hong Kong’s glass ceiling needs a number of impacts before we can the shatter long-standing employment inequality. It’s time to see what we can do, to test the limits and break through!
Why do you think Frozen, more than other Disney films, is heralded for its feminist themes?
Sleeping Beauty slept for a hundred years and no one heard her snore, unlike my sister. Poor Anna – she was mortified being filmed “sleep-singing” with her hair all mushed up!
Ultimately, I think Disney took a rather gloves-off approach to my sister and me even though we were princesses. Frozen shows us in all our glory, warts ‘n’ all. In addition to this, unlike many of our predecessors, we chose sisterly love over Prince Charming. Anna and I have a saying – “sisters before misters” – and we stick to it!
So Queen Elsa, is feminism a “storm” that needs to continue to “rage on” in Hong Kong?
Perhaps “storm” is the wrong word. However, I call on all citizens of Hong Kong and beyond to approach feminism with the passion and ferocity of a storm without its violence and gloominess. Negativity will only produce negativity. It is with positivity that we can provoke progression.
Elsa calls on Hong Kong women to empower themselves
Finally, Queen Elsa, we might be pushing our luck here, but were you being honest when you claimed: “You’ll never see me cry”?
Honestly, it’s a rare occurrence that anybody sees me cry; I am an introvert by nature. My sister however, is the opposite. Anna cries at Youtube videos of kittens.
But that’s okay too. I think it’s important to reaffirm that feminism in 2015 strives to be all encompassing. Some people may be emotional and others not. Some women may like pink, others like green. As you will have gathered from my favourite dress – I gravitate towards anything blue.
Like what you like, there is no such thing as a “perfect girl”, because we’re all perfect and flawed in our own unique ways. Make your own mould!
(Many thanks to The Women’s Foundation for their ongoing research into women’s issues in Hong Kong.)
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.
