For this SAMO I went far out of my comfort zone to watch a film called Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power. It is a film about women and how throughout history, they have been sexualized in cinematography. My journey to FACETS started Sunday December 4th, at 11:40 A.M where I was picked up by Noah and we ventured to the theater. We had some time to kill before the screening and went to grab some Chipotle for lunch and then we were off to the theater. Upon walking inside FACETS we obtained our wristbands and walked into what was a small auditorium with some older cushioned chairs. There was also a concession stand outside of the room selling popcorn, candy, drinks, etc. To our surprise the auditorium was almost sold out and we had to sit in the last row. However, since it was a smaller room that didn’t affect the view too much. To give a short summary of the movie before I get too in depth, it ventured across different genres, time periods and everything in between about the abuse, mistreatment, and sexualization of women in movies. It also mentioned how rare it is for a man to encounter such treatment.
In many male directed films women are the object of a scene whilst the men are displayed as the subject looking at the object. This is called the male gaze. The male gaze is defined as “The perspective that presents and represents women as sexual objects for the pleasure of the heterosexual male viewer,” (Male Gaze). It is also important to note that the majority of the directors and filmmakers are men themselves and are in charge of the narratives, perspectives and angles. The male gaze was a topic discussed throughout the film as it showed many different examples from vastly different movies consisting of futuristic sci-fi movies, an old western movie, and a movie based on Hollywood.
Photo Credits: Film Making Lifestyle
The film also touched on the fact that Hollywood treats its employees nearly as bad as coal miners were treated. Also stating that 94% of women in Hollywood experience some form of sexual harassment or assault. The film also showed the glamorization of sexual assault in films as it showed many different movies that glorified said actions. The film also showed movies that were directed by women which didn’t have the women as a sexualized object, but rather as the subject/protagonist. Overall, the film did a fantastic job demonstrating how women in movies have constantly been sexualized and how many women go through this harassment.
Photo Credits: Mother Jones
“Many studies have shown that the media has negative effects on the mental health of young women and girls. According to psychologists, women internalize people’s objectification of their bodies, resulting in them constantly criticizing their own bodies. Girls and women compulsively monitor their own body’s outward appearance. They become overly concerned about how others may perceive their physical appearance,” (Sen 1). Due to the overwhelming amount of women being sexualized in the media, this leads to women being overly concerned with their physical appearance. Not only does this issue stand in movies and television, but it also carries over into the fashion industry. Many big clothing brands are targeting young girls and women. “The fashion industry hypersexualizes girls and women’s clothing. Wearing tights, extremely short, or revealing dresses are characterized by boldness. Advertisements show them wearing highly provocative dresses, make-up, and often in age-inappropriate, hypersexualized postures and body language. Trying to keep up with the latest fashions, often kids and parents become victims of these brands,” (Sen 1).
Photo Credits: Fashion Harp
The fashion industry is no better than the film industry when it comes to the sexualization of women. The industry is making age-inappropriate and very revealing clothing for young girls and since it’s trendy they have their parents buy it for them. The objectification of women in the media can be connected to the violence against women across the world. “The media normalizes the act of dominance and aggression against women by constantly showcasing them as objects of pleasure. Boys and men tend to internalize that message, and it influences their subconscious biases of how they view women. They tend to legitimize violence, harassment, and anti-women views and behaviors,” (Sen 1). This also relates back to the sexual harassment that occurs in Hollywood. Pop culture as a whole promotes the sexualization and harassment that is brought upon women. Men feel that these actions are okay and even encouraged since it is so heavily promoted by the media. These men then go on to catcall, harass and sexualize women because they see that it’s okay on TV.
Photo Credits: Comminit
How have people been taking a stand against this cause? Some ways that anyone can take a stand is to a girl-centered and girl-led organization that is combatting the sexualization of girls. “A Women’s Media Center (WMC)-sponsored organization, FBOMB is dedicated to engaging girls as social change agents to challenge the impacts of sexualization in the fight for gender justice. Young feminist contributors discuss a broad range of issues from body image, the economy, free speech, disabilities, science and tech, immigration, LGBTQIA, to sports and politics, to name a few,” (Together For Girls: 5 Things…). Something else anyone can do to make a difference is using social media and your platforms to help spread awareness to the topic. One example of someone using social media to help spread awareness is when a feminist non-governmental organization called Think Olga, created the hashtag #primeiroassédio. “After sexually explicit and abusive tweets were directed at a 12-year old contestant on Brazil’s Junior Master Chef, thousands of women and girls flocked to social media to discuss the sexist norms that permeate Brazil. In response to the violent comments, a Brazilian, feminist non-governmental organization called Think Orga, created the hashtag #primeiroassédio (which means first harassment) and urged women and girls to participate using the hashtag to discuss their personal experiences of sexual assault and harassment,” (Together For Girls: 5 Things…).
Women have been viewed through the male gaze for as long as time can tell and it is time for us to take action against that. Anyone can spread awareness through social media, contact a nonprofit organization or make a donation. It is important to spread awareness about how the media has brainwashed us into thinking that the sexualization and harassment of women is okay and can be tolerated, when in reality it isn’t. Women have suffered through this for far too long and it is now time to make a change.
Sean Speaks 
Wow this is amazing to be honest
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