Usually when you see females in movies, they feel like they have

Listen, O seekers of wisdom, for the words of Björk carry a profound reflection on the nature of freedom, power, and the limitations placed upon women by society and culture. She spoke thus: "Usually when you see females in movies, they feel like they have these metallic structures around them, they are caged in by male energy." In these words, Björk unveils a truth that resonates deeply within the heart of any who have sought freedom from the constraints of societal norms and gender expectations. The metaphoric cage that she speaks of is the invisible yet all-encompassing force that confines and restricts the power of women in cinema, and by extension, in the world at large. It is a cage built by the dominance of male energy—an energy that seeks to control, to suppress, and to define the limits of what a woman can be.

In the ancient world, the role of women was often circumscribed by rigid norms and patriarchal systems. Consider Antigone, the great tragic heroine in the play by Sophocles. Antigone was a woman who dared to defy the king’s decree, to honor her brother in death, and in doing so, she broke the rules of society. Her defiance was not just an act of rebellion, but an assertion of her own will, a demand for freedom from the constraints imposed by both her family and society. Antigone’s story echoes Björk’s words, as she too was caged by the expectations of her society, and yet she sought a way to free herself from those chains, to define her own path. Björk’s reflection on the "metallic structures" around women in film highlights the real, yet invisible cages that society continues to build for women, limiting their roles, their actions, and their power.

Consider the story of Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology whose transformation into a monster is often seen as a punishment for her beauty and the fear she instilled in men. Medusa’s curse was not just a punishment but a manifestation of the fear and power that women possess—a power that is often feared and controlled by male-dominated societies. The gaze of Medusa, which turned men to stone, symbolizes the threat that women’s power poses to the established order. Like Medusa, women in film and in life have often been confined to roles that restrict their power, to roles that are shaped by the dominant male energy that seeks to control them. Björk’s words reflect this struggle—the fear of women’s true power and the lengths to which society will go to contain and redefine it.

In the modern era, this theme of women’s suppression by male energy is still evident, not only in film but in society at large. Think of the story of Joan of Arc, the fearless warrior who led armies to victory, only to be betrayed and burned at the stake because her actions threatened the power structures of her time. Joan’s courage was unparalleled, yet she was caged by her gender, her vision of leadership seen as a threat to the male-dominated world of politics and war. Björk’s words resonate in the context of Joan’s life, as both she and the women of today are forced to navigate a world where their actions and ambitions are often shaped by external forces—forces that seek to limit their ability to freely express their full potential.

Now, let us take this lesson and apply it to our own time: The cage that Björk speaks of is not just a symbol but a reality that continues to affect women in every realm, from the movies to the boardrooms, from the battlefield to the home. Björk’s call for freedom is a call to reclaim the power that has been taken from women, to redefine the roles they are placed in, and to break the chains that bind them. Women are not meant to be caged by society’s expectations, nor should they be limited by the roles that are handed to them. Just as Antigone defied the law and Joan of Arc defied the crown, so too must women today rise up and claim their own narratives, their own space, and their own voices.

The lesson is clear: Do not let the cages placed upon you by society define your worth or your possibilities. Whether you are a woman in the arts, in leadership, or in any sphere of life, know that the power to break free lies within you. Claim your freedom, not just for yourself, but for the generations of women who will come after you. As Björk and the great women of the past have shown, it is only through resilience, self-determination, and the courage to defy the constraints placed upon us that we can truly live as free beings. Let this wisdom guide you as you walk your own path, and never forget that the only real cage is the one you allow others to build for you. Break it, shatter it, and soar as the free spirit you are meant to be.