Kristin Scott Thomas using the Internet to get what she wants

"Within the film the Internet plays and important role," said Mario Tilney-Basset of Buena Vista International, the film company promoting The Horse Whisperer.

"It is a practical demonstration of using the Net to track down things you don't know much about."

The film company promoting the film has teamed up with Cable and Wireless Communications in an effort to encourage more women to get online.

Chick flick

Brought together by technology

The two have set up a Horse Whisperer Website which it is hoped will appeal to women.

The film is just the sort of character driven drama commonly perceived to attract large female audiences. It also has the pulling power of Robert Redford, a major-league Hollywood heart-throb, albeit an ageing one.

The companies also promise the Website will soon be expanded to offer women an introduction to the Internet and a directory of women's interest sites.

Women a growth sector

But why all this interest in getting women on the Net? Recent surveys suggest that women are the fastest growing Internet audience, and are expected to grow by 69% in the next 12 months.

The film company confidently predicts that more than 4 million women will go to the cinema and watch Kristin Scott Thomas "go online", with some possibly catching the Internet bug at the same time.

To help boost the female cinema-goers Internet interest, UCI Cinemas showing the film are giving away a free CD-ROM "beginners guide to the Internet" during the first two weeks the movie is on release.

Cable and Wireless says that the guide is so easy to understand that it is the first Internet product in the UK to receive an award from the Plain English Campaign.

Toys just for boys?

Kristin Scott Thomas admits she is completely "computer illiterate"

But despite their predicted growth as an Internet audience, most women are still backward when it comes to keeping up with the forward surge of technology.

A survey carried out by both companies revealed that more than half the women interviewed who own a computer never use the Internet, with many believing it to be too complicated and too expensive.

All in all the survey found that only 11% of the female population ever use e-mail or Internet services.

Actress admits the truth

A live webcast and an online chat with Kristin Scott Thomas accompanied the premi�re of the Horse Whisperer last week.

While her character may be confident with technology in the film, in real life the actress honestly admits that she is "completely computer illiterate" and has never seen much use for the Internet.

"I wish someone could sit down and actually explain it all to me properly. It would be such a help ... people like me, and a lot of people I know, have a blockage and think 'oh no, I can't cope' and then someone actually opens the door and show them how it works, because it's not that difficult ... " she said.

Connecting women

The organisation Women in Science and Technology wants to do just that - it is pushing for women only Internet courses so women can learn at their own pace. Witec says that funding is a problem, but it is currently getting togther a database of courses all over the country.

There are also Internet chat and information sites available, like Women's Wire and Women Connect, which are targeted solely at women.

All this could help to convince some women to take the Internet more seriously in future. Especially if it means they are more likely to meet the man of their dreams.