GI Jane (feat. Hilary Matfess)

GI Jane (feat. Hilary Matfess)

From Unclear and Present Danger by Jamelle Bouie and John Ganz

February 19, 2026

About this episode

The episode discusses the film G.I. Jane and its implications on gender politics and military readiness.

On this week's episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John were joined by Hilary Matfess of the University of Denver to discuss G.I. Jane , the 1997 military drama directed by Ridley Scott and starring Demi Moore and Viggo Mortenson. The discussion for this film revolves around the evolving role of women in the military, post-Cold War anxieties about American military readiness, the gender politics of the film, and what the movie might signify today, in the present. Matfess is the author of a new book, "Putting Women in their Place: Gender Power and World Politics," which is available wherever books are sold. For our next episode we are heading into 1998 with U.S. Marshals , the somewhat forgotten sequel to The Fugitive , starring Wesley Snipes and Tommy Lee Jones. And don't forget our Patreon, where we cover the films of the Cold War and do a regular politics show. You can find that at patreon.com/unclearpod . Our producer is Connor Lynch and our artwork is by Rachel Eck.

People in this episode

Hosts: Jamelle Bouie, John Ganz

Guest: Hilary Matfess

Topics covered

  • women in the military
  • gender politics
  • military readiness
  • post-Cold War
  • film analysis

Keywords

  • G.I. Jane
  • Hilary Matfess
  • gender politics
  • military drama
  • Demi Moore
  • Ridley Scott
  • U.S. Marshals
  • The Fugitive

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Denver

Books & works: G.I. Jane, Putting Women in their Place: Gender Power and World Politics, U.S. Marshals, The Fugitive

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