In the early days of cinema, women were often typecast into youthful and ingénue roles, with their careers frequently ending by the time they reached their mid-30s. The notion that a woman's value and appeal lie in her youth and physical appearance has been perpetuated by the entertainment industry, leading to a lack of representation and opportunities for mature women. According to a study by the Sundance Institute, women over 40 are severely underrepresented in leading roles in film, making up only 2.1% of the top 250 films of 2019.