Ok. I have chilled out some and eaten (that last one being so important these days) and feel like I can perhaps hold a discussion! I admit, I have been a raging cranky bitch lately and I do feel very strongly about feminist issues, so I didn't want to go off on you. Really, it's not you, it's me. :)
I hear what you say about "gratuitous Girl Power" - usually it's just wussy "empowerfullment" that's a load of crap. Sexy warrior girls - a cheap hand out to women and still sexy for the guys! It's like a back handed compliment. And proves that smart, powerful women still aren't taken seriously.
Honestly, 10000BC isn't the worst offender, I was (am) just cranky and bored with the film. But I am annoyed at the general portrayal of women in film and media. I don't think there are plenty of role models, although I don't doubt that a smart, independent woman such as yourself (and me!) has found plenty of role models on your own. I also don't rely on Hollywood for my role models, but Hollywood does shape a lot of people's perceptions, particularly younger people's. Women in media continue to be portrayed primarily as passive and as sexualized objects. This bothers me a great deal. It reflects what society in general accepts. And the general acceptance of this crap frustrates me and makes me sad.
Your statements above only raise my alarms because it's easy to say "well, I'M not in need of Hollywood's approval!" and then dismiss a very powerful force in our society for shaping attitudes toward women. Or to say "Well, I'M not oppressed by the patriarchy, so whatever" which dismisses the fact that so many women ARE oppressed. Just because I am not personally touched by a particular issue (abortion has rarely been a personal issue in my life, nor has domestic violence -thanks be to Allah) doesn't mean that it's not important and vital to women in the world for these issues to be dealt with and spoken about.
Again, this movie is not the worst offender and I know I'm making a bigger deal of this film than is necessary. My hackles were up. I mean, there is any number of juvenile films more degrading to women out there - and they are often big big sellers.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-03-26 03:23 am (UTC)I hear what you say about "gratuitous Girl Power" - usually it's just wussy "empowerfullment" that's a load of crap. Sexy warrior girls - a cheap hand out to women and still sexy for the guys! It's like a back handed compliment. And proves that smart, powerful women still aren't taken seriously.
Honestly, 10000BC isn't the worst offender, I was (am) just cranky and bored with the film. But I am annoyed at the general portrayal of women in film and media. I don't think there are plenty of role models, although I don't doubt that a smart, independent woman such as yourself (and me!) has found plenty of role models on your own. I also don't rely on Hollywood for my role models, but Hollywood does shape a lot of people's perceptions, particularly younger people's. Women in media continue to be portrayed primarily as passive and as sexualized objects. This bothers me a great deal. It reflects what society in general accepts. And the general acceptance of this crap frustrates me and makes me sad.
Your statements above only raise my alarms because it's easy to say "well, I'M not in need of Hollywood's approval!" and then dismiss a very powerful force in our society for shaping attitudes toward women. Or to say "Well, I'M not oppressed by the patriarchy, so whatever" which dismisses the fact that so many women ARE oppressed. Just because I am not personally touched by a particular issue (abortion has rarely been a personal issue in my life, nor has domestic violence -thanks be to Allah) doesn't mean that it's not important and vital to women in the world for these issues to be dealt with and spoken about.
Again, this movie is not the worst offender and I know I'm making a bigger deal of this film than is necessary. My hackles were up. I mean, there is any number of juvenile films more degrading to women out there - and they are often big big sellers.