Housewife of the Year

A staple of Irish television between 1968 and 1995, it would be hard to believe that the surreal television competition ‘Housewife of the Year’ actually existed – if it were not for the treasure trove of archive footage and accounts from ex-contestants. Conservative women with permed hairstyles and sacrament dresses were judged on their skills in cooking, caring, basic household management, personality, humor, interests, and, last but not least: looks. The winner of the competition would return to her family with £300 and enough kitchenware to make the neighbours jealous. The film reveals a shocking gap between what viewers saw on TV and the reality of Irish women’s lives at the time.

CPH:DOX 2024