Thursday, December 15th
at 7:30 PM
Nina Menkes’
BRAINWASHED:
SEX-CAMERA-POWER
Members $10 | Public
$15
“If the camera is predatory, then the culture is
predatory.” In this eye-opening documentary, celebrated independent
filmmaker Nina Menkes explores the sexual politics of
cinematic shot design. Using clips from hundreds of movies we all know and love
– from Metropolis to Vertigo to Phantom
Thread – Menkes convincingly makes the argument that shot design is
gendered. Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power illuminates the
patriarchal narrative codes that hide within supposedly “classic” set-ups and
camera angles, and demonstrates how women are frequently displayed as objects
for the use, support, and pleasure of male subjects. Building on the essential
work of Laura Mulvey and other feminist writers, Menkes shows
how these not-so-subtle embedded messages affect and intersect with the twin
epidemics of sexual abuse and assault, as well as employment discrimination
against women, especially in the film industry. The film features interviews
with an all-star cast of women and non-binary industry professionals
including Julie Dash, Penelope Spheeris, Charlyne
Yi, Joey Soloway, Catherine Hardwicke, Eliza
Hittman, Maria Giese, and Rosanna Arquette. The
result is an electrifying call-to-action that will fundamentally change the way
you see, and watch, movies. (USA, 2022, 107 min., color, DCP /
Director: Nina Menkes)
“Nina Menkes’ eye-opening documentary will forever
change how you look at films.” - Kate Erbland, Indiewire
"A documentary for any woman who ever wanted,
even for a moment, to throw a grenade at the canon. Menkes is a real
no-bullshit breath of fresh air. With a torch. And with any luck, she’s heading
your way to set fire to something, soon." - Fionnuala Halligan,
Screen Daily
