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Julian launched into his monologue, pacing, shouting, using his youth like a blunt instrument. Elena stayed perfectly still. She didn't need to move; she had learned long ago that the camera finds the person who knows exactly who they are.

Walking onto the set, Elena felt the familiar shift in gravity. In her thirties, she had been the "Ingénue," then the "Leading Lady," then the "Formidable Mother." Now, she was the "Matriarch."

Our research indicates that mature women are underrepresented in leading roles in film and television. According to a study by the Sundance Institute, in 2020: