Backwards & in Heels

'After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels' - Ann Richards

In Backwards and in Heels, Alicia Malone builds on her experience within the industry to examine the torturous road that has led to the uneasy Hollywood climate of today. Wage gaps and bias in selecting leading roles are only some of the issues faced by women in film. Bias against women in Hollywood: Throughout the history of Hollywood, women have been at the forefront of its success. Starting with Nickelodeons and moving into feature films, crossing between silent flicks to summer blockbusters, women in Hollywood have done it all. Female writers, actors, and women directors and producers were essential in the booming success of the industry during the 20s and 30s. Yet, they've never received the respect they deserve. This story of gender inequality is all too familiar. And it needs to end! 

“"Alicia Malone gives me hope for the future of film appreciation. Her knowledge and curiosity are matched only by her enthusiasm for all things cinematic." Leonard Maltin”

"Alicia Malone is one of the most inspiring voices in media today. Her book is a painful eye-opener that everyone with an interest in film should read." Chris Stuckmann Film Critic
"Starting in the very early days of film, Backwards & in Heelscovers women holding all different positions throughout the film industry.From editors, to directors, to producers, to actresses, women have done it all.The problem is, in many areas, the number of women who have held these positions is few and with very little recognition.It is a battle for women that is still being fought today."- My Current Interests
?Alicia is a wonderful human whose voracious appetite for, and knowledge of, cinema and its history is immense and passionate. I can't think of anyone more suited to dig into this very important part of the story of film.? - Elijah Wood
?Alicia Malone gives me hope for the future of film appreciation. Her knowledge and curiosity are matched only by her enthusiasm for all things cinematic." Leonard Maltin
?Alicia Malone has opened my eyes to stories and stats about Women in Film, making me recognize the constant prejudices and imbalances that occur in the film industry even today, but also the ways in which women have been and continue to be celebrated. Proud to be a fellow feminist for film!? Maude Garrett, Founder of GeekBomb.com "Over the years since we both moved here from our respective home countries to report on film, I?ve watched Alicia Malone grow more and more passionate about the roles women play in the modern movie industry, and what she can do to help better this. Alicia is talented and has a natural love of cinema, to be sure, but she's also dedicated to sharing her insights and knowledge in such a way that you can't help but fall in love with film all over again!" Nadia Neophytou, Entertainment Reporter "A fresh and passionate voice that makes us fully aware of the tremendous contributions of women to movies, while giving urgent notice to the stubborn slights and oversights of the film industry and reminding us of the job that remains to be done. A timely and important work of cultural criticism." Molly Haskell, Film Critic and Author of From Reverence to Rape Alicia is one of those movie lovers equally adept at discussing Neo from "The Matrix" and Italian Neorealism. Her enthusiasm is infectious; I can't imagine anyone better equipped to welcome a new generation of young women into the world of movies. With "Backwards and in Heels," she's done it.? Ben Mankiewicz, Primetime Host, Turner Classic Movies "Alicia Malone is the champion heroines of cinema deserve. Illuminating, insightful, occasionally maddening, Backwards and in Heels is required reading for anyone who wants to call themselves a film fan." Sasha Perl-Raver, Host, FX Movie Download Alicia Malone's expert perspective and inspired, informative take on film history make Backwards And In Heels a must read. An outspoken advocate for women in film and an ardent lover of cinema, here she is actively changing the conversation around women's achievements in the business with wonderful insights, wisdom and wit.? Miri Jedeikin, Host, Uproxx "Women have been creators in the film industry since its inception. In Backwards and in Heels, you can feel Alicia Malone's passion for highlighting the trailblazers who have deserved this kind of notoriety for decades. Any lover of film will appreciate this celebration of important figures who have made massive contributions to the art form." Tiffany Vazquez, Saturday Daytime Host, Turner Classic Movies "There's a slow but steady shift finally sweeping the industry to invest more in female voices. Having a tool like this fantastic book is invaluable for the continued growth and hope of future generations of creative women. Alicia Malone has been a true champion of female artists, exemplifying the passion, intelligence and class needed to bring people together and create positive change.? Amirose Eisenbach, Radiant J Productions

Alicia Malone is a film reporter, host, writer and self-confessed movie geek. She first gained notice hosting movie-centric shows and reviewing films in her native Australia, before making the leap to Los Angeles in 2011.Since then, Alicia has appeared on CNN, the Today show, MSNBC, NPR and many more as a film expert. Currently, she is a host on FilmStruck, a cinephile subscription streaming service run by the Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies, and she is the creator and host of the weekly show, Indie Movie Guide on Fandango.Alicia is passionate about classic films, independent movies and supporting women in film. In 2015, Alicia gave a TEDx talk about the lack of women working in film and why this is important to change. In 2017, she was invited to give a second TEDx talk, where she spoke about the hidden stories of the earliest women working in Hollywood. Alicia has also spoken at conferences around America, and because of this, was named of one the 100 Worthy Women of 2016.Alicia has traveled the world to cover the BAFTAs, the Oscars, the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival and SXSW. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and over the years has interviewed hundreds of movie stars and filmmakers.She also wrote this bio, but knew it would sound way less egotistical if written in third person.

Backwards and in Heels women in film and their struggle against bias -...but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he (Fred Astaire) did, backwards and in high heels.- - Bob Thaves Women in film: When it comes to early Hollywood and the women who worked in it, it can be tough to sort out the exact truth. That's where film reporter and critic Alicia Malone comes in. In her book, Backwards and in Heels, Malone builds on her experience within the industry to examine the torturous road that has led to the uneasy Hollywood climate of today. Wage gaps and bias in selecting leading roles are only some of the issues faced by women in film. Bias against women in Hollywood: Throughout the history of Hollywood, women have been at the forefront of its success. Starting with Nickelodeons and moving into feature films, crossing between silent flicks to summer blockbusters, women in Hollywood have done it all. Female writers, actors, and women directors and producers were essential in the booming success of the industry during the 20s and 30s. Yet, they've never received the respect they deserve. This story of gender inequality is all too familiar. And it needs to end! Thousands of women in film are standing up to Hollywood injustice: Join Malone as she champions Hollywood women of the past, present and future in the hopes of leveling out the field. Some of the women in film who are standing up to Hollywood injustice include: - Jennifer Lawrence - Emma Watson - Mila Kunis - Emmy Rossum - Jessica Chastain - and, Lena Dunham

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