Misbehaviour star Gugu Mbatha Raw and director Philippa Lowthorpe on equality, beauty pageants and Bob Hope
Fifty years ago, beauty pageants were the norm and the Miss World contest was one of the major television events of the year. But things change – and 1970’s Miss World marked the start of a shift, one that’s still happening now. A group of Women’s Liberation activists interrupted proceedings by rushing the stage, throwing missiles and causing the live show to be taken off air.
Their actions are at the centre of Misbehaviour, which is released in cinemas this week but, as one its stars, Gugu Mbatha Raw, points out in the interview below, it was a landmark in more than one way. She plays Jennifer Hosten, Miss Grenada, who became the first woman of colour to win the title. And South Africa was forced into sending two contestants – the white Miss South Africa and Miss Africa South, who black and was to become the runner-up.
The film’s director, Philippa Lowthorpe talks about how the idea for the film was sparked by a radio programme which reunited the original protestors and also discusses with The People’s Movies’ Freda Cooper the portrayal of comedian Bob Hope in the movie – one that will probably come as a big surprise to audiences.
Watch The UK Trailer below…
Misbehaviour is released in cinemas on Friday, 13 March
Read our review of the film here
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