10. The Burning Plain

Director: Guillermo Arriaga

Sylvia (Charlize Theron) is a successful Portland restaurant owner, plagued by trauma from her past and suicidal thoughts. She abandoned her daughter, until a reunion is thrust upon them years later. Gina (Kim Basinger), was a mother of four who betrayed her family in an affair with another married man, before they both were killed in a fire. Both stories are deeply connected, gradually pieced together through the film’s non-linear style. These women, flawed as they may be, nevertheless show depth, intelligence, and vulnerability. The story addresses the profound repercussions of adultery or promiscuity as a means of escape, and the complex bond that mothers and daughters share.

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“She’s a kid. I wouldn’t know what to do with her. I can barely look her in the eyes. … I can’t run away anymore.” – Sylvia, to the father of her child, when forced to face her daughter after years of absence.

9. The Hurt Locker

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

One of the biggest strengths of The Hurt Locker is the fact that it’s a film by a woman about men at war. Bigelow tells the unexaggerated story of soldiers doing one of the most dangerous jobs in combat: defusing explosive devices. She not only tackles adrenaline junkies who spar with testosterone-fueled roughhousing, she also delves into the fears and pressures of fatherhood, and the complexity of a person who falls in love with near-death experiences. Many Hollywood-funded war films exploit the institution, pumping as much horsepower as they can into a two-hour time frame. Bigelow instead opts for restraint and honesty, exposing her characters not as bad ass men with guns, but as people just struggling to survive. The film is pertinent to men and women alike, because it touches the core of our commonalities as human beings.

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“The rush of battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” - Journalist Chris Hedges, the opening quote of the film

8. Whip It

Director: Drew Barrymore

In spite of it’s occasionally cheesy overtones, Whip It is an otherwise warm story about a small-town pageant dropout, trying to figure out where she fits in. Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) is inspired by the rowdy women’s roller derby team, The Hurl Scouts. She defies her family and spends as much time as she can with them, hoping to one day join the team. The sport not only offers her camaraderie and acceptance, it also teaches her how to be straightforward and aggressive – traits that would really benefit her in other areas of her life. It’s a film about sisterhood, stamina, and developing self worth.

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“Well, put some skates on and be your own hero.” – Maggie Mayhem, to Bliss, after she tells the Hurl Scouts they are her new heroes.

7. Skin

Director: Anthony Fabian

This is the true story of Sandra Laing, born to two white Afrikaaners during apartheid in South Africa. As a result of unknown African ancestry, Sandra appears black. Even before the government classifies her as “coloured”, the white community persecutes and abuses her. Sandra’s father fights to legally define her as white, and wins. When she falls in love with a black man, however, the fight begins to redefine her as coloured – even if it means losing everything, including her family. Sandra maintains strength and dignity, despite her meek demeanor, and perseveres through abusive situations. Her story has also been told in the book When She Was White: The True Story of a Family Divided by Race and in the short documentary Sandra Laing: A Spiritual Journey.

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“Look at me. I’m not white. Those boys want a white girl to marry!” -Sandra, to her father, after a series of painful dates with white men

6. Phoebe in Wonderland

Director: Daniel Barnz

Phoebe Lichten (Elle Fanning) is witty and outspoken, just like every woman in her family. She wants to be a child prodigy, and longs to live in a world “where everything isn’t so fixed.” She also has apparent obsessive compulsive disorder, maybe even Tourettes syndrome. She acts out at school, and only feels at home living in her own personal Wonderland – a dream that gets realized when she wins the part of Alice in her school’s production of Alice in Wonderland. Her parents (Bill Pullman & Felicity Huffman) struggle to understand their daughter’s bizarre tics, and try to refrain from labeling Phoebe or medicating her. It’s a story about childhood imagination, and the social constructs that progressively destroy it. It’s also about a mother raising her daughters, doing the best she can to help them openly express themselves, without putting them in harm’s way.

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“I have angst. … Mozart was 6 when he wrote his first opera. I’m 7! You don’t understand.” – Phoebe, to her parents, during a dinner party

5. American Violet

Director: Tim Disney

A single mother of four is the victim of racial profiling in a small Texas town. This is the true story of Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), who was falsely accused of drug dealing in 2000. She’s given two options: to plead guilty to a felony for a more lenient sentence, or go to trial and risk 16-25 years in jail. The ACLU suspects racism at the root of this indictment, and helps Dee sue the county, the District Attorney, and the Drug Task Force that arrested her. During the lawsuit, she undergoes a custody battle with the father of two of her children. The custody battle is moderated by the very D.A. she’s suing. Dee’s story is one of a persistent mother who endures a lot of stress, fear and intimidation, in a county where discrimination is secretly institutionalized. She holds her ground, hoping to keep this from happening to anyone else.

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“If you want to hurt me because I’m suing you, go ahead. … I am not an unfit mother.” – Dee, to the D.A., at her custody hearings

4. La Teta Asustada

Director: Claudia Llosa

This Peruvian film, whose title translates to The Milk of Sorrow, takes place in a war-torn region of Peru in the 1980’s. The militant group called the Sendero Luminoso were known for employing mass rapes as a war strategy. Many women suffered, raped by as many as 30 men at a time. Women who were raped were thought to pass their trauma down to their children, through the milk of their breasts, the Milk of Sorrow. The film follows Fausta (Magaly Solier), who lives in constant fear that she will be victimized. Upon the sudden death of her mother, she works hard to ensure she doesn’t suffer the same fate. It’s not only a socially educational film, it’s a profoundly emotional film that confronts the aftermath of sexual abuse.

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“Anyone born that way [is] without a soul, because it hid underground out of fear.” – Tío Lúcido explaining The Milk of Sorrow

3. Precious

Director: Lee Daniels

Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is an overweight, illiterate, depressed teen girl in Harlem. She’s abused by her mother (Mo’Nique) and raped by her father. During the most painful times, she escapes into a fantasy of being rich and famous, with a handsome and loving boyfriend. After being expelled from public school, she gets a chance to go to an alternative school, a chance to finally stop feeling invisible. Powerful performances by Mo’Nique and Gaborey Sidibe bring us to the depths of despair in Precious’ life, as we try to overcome these traumatic situations with her. It’s a beautiful and brilliant film about a girl who keeps trudging forward, come what may.

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“I wanna be in one of them BET videos. Mama said I can’t dance. Plus she said who’d wanna see my big ass dancin’ anyhow?” – Precious, thinking to herself as she walks to class

2. An Education

Director: Lone Scherfig

Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is a witty high school student growing up in 1960’s London. She’s a bilingual cellist, prepping for Oxford. Then, an unlikely relationship with a man 20 years her senior (Peter Sarsgaard) leaves her wondering if she should invest time and money into an education of her own, when he can clearly provide everything she needs. Avoiding college seemed especially practical in the ’60s, since even women with a degree had limited career opportunities. Her family supports this decision as well, but her school teachers and administrators balk. Jenny soon realizes the gravity of sacrificing personal growth for spontaneous pleasure, and the terrible position a woman can put herself in when she chooses a life of dependence.

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“Oh you’re my father again, are you? Well what were you when you encouraged me to throw my life away?” -Jenny, to her father (Alfred Molina)

1. Coco Before Chanel

Director: Anne Fontaine

From orphan to seamstress to stage performer, Danielle “Coco” Chanel (Audrey Tatou) strategically worked her way up the social ladder. At first, she raised eyebrows by refusing to wear restrictive corsets or garish frills, and often cross-dressed in men’s clothing. As her sister pined away for an unlikely marriage, Coco earned respect among the Parisian elite by establishing a strong point of view and an independent sense of style. That’s not to say she didn’t love, or allow herself to be loved. She wanted marriage and convention too, if only for a fleeting moment. But overwhelming ambition drove her to start a business, which grew into the fashion empire that bears her name. This headstrong woman established herself in an otherwise male profession, creating opportunities for countless female designers who followed.

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“I want it tighter.” / “You’d prefer not to breathe?” – A customer’s complaint, and Chanel’s response, refusing to make the garment uncomfortable.

Note: Some films were completed in 2008, with a USA release dated in 2009.

Formulaic throughout, these networks perpetuate clichés for both sexes. It’s why films on WE are called “Cinematherapy,” and films on Spike are called “Cinemassacre.” The networks don’t always create these messages themselves (many buy previously aired series for syndication), but their compilation of material is cemented in stereotype.

MOTHERS & FIGHTERS

(Click images to view sources)

(Not to be confused with NBC’s “Momma’s Boys”)

SUCK IT IN & BLOW IT UP

She measures her waist, he measures his horsepower.

DRESS UP or CRACK DOWN

Wedding bells for her, police sirens for him.

BEAUTY & THE BABEWATCH

Obsession with self vs. obsession with sex.

Conger and Rockwell on Larry King Live (2000)

Reality “stars” with criminal records are nothing new.

• Saaphyri Windsor (a.k.a. Wanda Scott) made appearances on 16 shows before authorities took notice. The former Flavor of Love contestant was a fugitive under suspicion of identity theft and grand larceny. She was then arrested, but ditched her court date and went on the run again. [2]
• Real Housewife of New Jersey Danielle Staub was arrested in 1986 for extortion, kidnapping and drug possession. The news broke after Staub’s ex-husband wrote the book “Cop Without a Badge”, which outlined her past in detail. [3]
• Shandi Sullivan, of America’s Next Top Model fame, was charged in 2001 with burglarizing a Kansas City candy store. [4]
• Andre Birleneau, Russian hothead from America’s Most Smartest Model, was charged with sexual misconduct and aggravated harassment. [5]
• Janelle Pierzina, a member of Big Brother 6, pled guilty to shoplifting and driving under the influence. [6]
• American Idol finalist Bo Bice was arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine in 2005. [7]
• Real World Austin cast member Nehemiah Clark was arrested for assaulting an attendant at a Best Wurst hotdog stand. [8]
• Scott Soval was arrested in 2001 after appearing on American Idol, for domestic violence. [9]
• Paola Perales, one of The Girls of Hedsor Hall, has a record for repeated assault in bar brawls. [10]
• Former Making the Band with P. Diddy contestant Sara Stokes‘ bloody mugshot emerged two weeks ago, after she stabbed her husband. [11]

A few weeks ago, history repeated itself again, when VH1’s “Megan Wants a Millionaire” found itself tied to a murder-suicide. Contestant Ryan Jenkins was rejected by self-proclaimed gold digger Megan Hauserman on the show, and shortly thereafter married former model Jasmine Fiore. Two months later, the marriage was annulled, and within days Fiore went missing. After her mangled body was found stuffed in a suitcase in Southern California on August 15, Jenkins was named the primary suspect. He fled to Canada, but before he could be caught, he hung himself. VH1 immediately stopped airing the show, and pulled the plug on the new season of I Love Money, in which Jenkins was also cast. [12]

The late Jenkins and Fiore

Reality-based TV, unlike scripted shows, thrives on unstable and unpredictable personalities. So the question is not if, but when, these people will act out irrationally or put others in danger.

Jason Cornwell, a former cast member of The Real World Boston, now works as a Real World casting director and Road Rules writer. According to him, deviant behavior has to be rewarded with media coverage, because that’s what makes the most money. “If you wanted to sit around all day and read a book, you could,” Cornwell says. “But you’re not going to get on TV doing that.” Producers are willing to take risk in the name of ratings. [13]

So, in spite of everything, raunchy reality shows are still in high demand. Let’s just hope they get a bit more thorough in their background checks from now on.

Sources:

[1] “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” (Andrew Gumbel) The Independent, UK. February 23, 2000
[2] “Saaphyri From Charm School Was a Criminal Fugitive?” Dallas Black News Online. February 14, 2009
[3] “How Danielle Staub Became Scandalous ‘Wife’” (Robert Rorke) New York Post. June 7, 2009
[4] “Fine and Shandi”  (Gary Susman) Entertainment Weekly Online. February 12, 2004
[5] “Reality Hunk in Sex Bust” (Jamie Schram) New York Post. October 26, 2007
[6] “Janelle Pled Guilty for DWI and Petty Theft” (Andy Dehnart) Reality Blurred. July 21, 2005
[7] “‘Idol’ Singer Bo Bice Has Drug Rap Sheet, Court Papers Show” (Corey Moss) MTV News. April 28, 2005
[8] “‘Real World’ Rap Sheet” (Kevin Brass) The Austin Chronicle. September 2, 2005
[9] “‘American Idol’s Scott Soval Domestic Violence Rap Sheet” (Michael Prieve) The Recapist. April 3, 2005
[10] “Paola Perales – The Girls of Hedsor Hall” Pop Tower
[11] “Mugshot Mania – Making the Band Alumni Stabs Hubby”  Show Hype. August 11, 2009
[12] “Slain Model’s Missing Car Found in West Hollywood” (Raquel Maria Dillon) The Associated Press. August 26, 2009
[13] “The Spin on ‘The Real World’” (Paul Farhi) Washington Post Online. November 4, 1999

Baby Beauty Queens (BBC)

This feature-length documentary, created by the BBC and People Documentaries, looks at contestants with a greater depth than most reality shows.
To stream the full film for free on YouTube, see Parts [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] and [6].

Toddlers & Tiaras (TLC)

“Toddlers & Tiaras” shows how pageantry can breed conflict and resentment between mothers, daughters, and sisters. (Each featured clip is under 1:30)

Mother/daughter pageants seem less about bonding and more about beating down the competition.

With mom picking favorites, AshLynn fades into the background, while BreAnne can barely fit her head through the door. It’s a good thing pageantry pays well; they’ll need it for therapy in a few years.

Megan has no problem telling America where her priorities are.

Conor Knighton from Current InfoMania recaps more pageant show highlights, in his segment “Itsy Bitsy Beauty Queens.”

These create strong characters of both genders, satirize contemporary stereotypes, and often give heroines a more natural and realistic appearance.

10. BIRDS OF PREY

The Oracle and her group of super-heroines fight crime in Gotham City, Metropolis, and later California. While some of them can’t shake the DC Comics sexpot syndrome, they are nevertheless all individuals with varying interests, strengths and weaknesses. This action-packed, estrogen-charged series ran for 10 years, from 1999 until February of this year. [1]

9. NINA’S ADVENTURES

Poking fun at gender stereotypes, creator Nina Paley describes her weekly strip as “semi-autobiographical” and “often experimental.” [2] She supports creative commons and posts all of her work online for free. (See Official Site Here)

8. NAUGHTY BITS

Forty issues spanning 13 years (1991-2004) follow Bitchy, a wild (though terribly named) anti-hero, neither sweet nor sexy. She is among the few leading women in comics permitted to be crass and rude, not to mention recklessly promiscuous, racist and homophobic – a compelling character you love to hate.[3]

7. LOVE & ROCKETS

Created by brothers Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets ran from 1982-1996, and resumed publication in 2001. It addresses cultural and racial tensions through a cast of “ladies with strength, intelligence, independence, bitchiness, frailty, obsessiveness; in short, human qualities.” [4]

6. BATWOMAN

Originally introduced in 1956, Batwoman (a.k.a. Kate “Kathy” Kane) didn’t last long in the pages of DC Comics. She only made a few chance appearances between 1964 and 2006 (left). But now, after many years in the cave, she has finally reappeared (right).

She is described as “a lesbian socialite by night, and a crime-fighter by later in the night.”
Writer Greg Rucka said in a recent interview, “[Her sexual preference] is an element of her character. It is not her character. If people are going to have problems with it, that’s their issue. That’s certainly not mine.” [5]

5. PREACHER

Preacher Jesse Custer is possessed by a supernatural creature, Genesis, both an angel and a demon. On a quest to literally find God, who abandoned Heaven, he is joined by ex-girlfriend Tulip O’Hare. They are solid characters with a propensity for both strength and vulnerability. Tulip is shaped with an extensive backstory – and an equally extensive backbone. She is woman enough to take charge when she needs to, and Custer is man enough to shed tears once in a while. [6] [7]

4. Y: THE LAST MAN

A terrible plague has wiped off all the Y chromosomes in the planet. Ultra-feminist Daughters of the Amazon believe it was an act by Mother Earth to cleanse itself of men. The only problem is, life as they now know it is doomed. Yorick Brown is the sole male survivor, with his pet monkey, Ampersand. [8]

Perhaps this was a response to many feminists’ violent anti-male agendas, typically masquerading as the quest for equality. The women in this comic are strong and opinionated, but flawed – just as the men…were. This well-written, bold commentary on gender issues raises a lot of questions, and hopefully prompts some self reflection in the midst of entertainment.

NOTE: While the comic series ended in 2008, a film version is currently in development. [9]

3. PROMETHEA

Young Sophie is embodied by Promethea, a hybrid Egyptian/Greek spirit, whose intellect and raw power force Sophie to overcome weakness and naivety. With the evil mystic group The Temple on a hunt to exterminate Promethea, Sophie must learn quickly how to fend off her enemies. The action sequences, compounded with philosophical overtones, make for a very exciting and intellectually stimulating story. [10]

2. ALIAS

Former superhero Jewel (a.k.a. Jessica Jones) leaves her life of heroics to become a detective for Alias Private Investigations. Her past is layered, her character complex, and Marvel fans give her high ratings for strength, intelligence, and durability. [11]

1. IT AIN’T ME, BABE

” ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ was the very very first ever in the world all-women’s comic. … It lasted only one issue, but it united the growing sub-culture of female underground cartoonists.” -Critic Arie Kaplan [12]

CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE:
WONDER WOMAN

On the surface, Wonder Woman seems like the embodiment of feminine strength and sex appeal. But if you delve into the history of this comic’s snide and sexist remarks against women, it all starts to feel like one giant back-handed compliment. Not to mention the fact that she’s become a sexual object just like the rest of them, epitomized with the 2008 Playboy Wonder Woman cover.

CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE:
HOTHEAD PAISAN

Armed and angry, Hothead Paisan is known as the “homicidal lesbian terrorist” with an “absurdist take on the sexist consumer culture which surrounds her. She sees the world through a misfit’s eyes and is simultaneously damaged and enraged by it.” [13] This comic might have made the list if it wasn’t so rigorously anti-male. While we support creating strong and witty female characters, it shouldn’t be at the expense of men. You can’t fight sexism with sexism.

Sources:

[1] “Birds of Prey” Birdwatching, CanaryNoir.com

[2] Nina’s Adventures – Nina Paley Biography 2005

[3] “Naughty Bits” Review (Anne Thalheimer) PopMatters.com

[4] “Love & Rockets / Artist Bio: The Hernandez Brothers”. Fantagraphic Books Online

[5] “Batwoman, The Red-Headed Lesbian, is Unleashed At Last” (Guy Adams) The Independent Online, Los Angeles. February 11, 2009

[6] Tulip O’Hare: Character Profile, ComixFan.com

[7] Preacher: Comic Profile, ComicVine.com

[8] “Y: The Last Man” (John Hogan) Graphic Novel Reporter Online. January, 2009

[9] “Y: The Last Man Draft Screenplay – The Script That Got Brian K Vaughan the Gig on ‘Lost’” (Rich Johnston) BleedingCool.com. June 30,2009

[10] “Promethea: Book One” (Andrew Gilstrap) PopMatters.com

[11] “Jessica Jones.” Marvel Universe: The Official Marvel Wiki

[12] Kaplan, Arie. Masters of the Comic Book Universe Revealed! Chicago Review Press, 2006 (p.85)

[13] “Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist” (Todd Morman) StayFreeMagazine.org

So with over 9,000 vendors vying for attention from over 123,000 attendees (numbers from 2006 statistics) [1],  what can a company do to stand out? Well this year, EA Games has come up with a new way to beat the competition – pimp out their booth babes.

EA’s contest, a promotion for the game Dante’s Inferno, encourages fans to hunt down EA Booth Babes at the convention and “commit acts of lust” with them. One fan “wins” two girls for a night, including dinner, a limo ride, and “booty,” apparently. [2]

For an industry that is trying to include more women [3] and accommodate the thousands of fangirls in attendance at Comic-Con this year, it’s surprising EA didn’t recognize how alienating and misogynistic this crude promotion could be.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: John from the blog “Comics Oughta Be Fun!” describes instances of sexual harassment at Comic-Con last year, and how he saw it go generally unnoticed and unacknowledged by CC staff. (Read John’s post here)

Your Ad Here

Sources:

Thanks to StilettoREVOLT Reader Kai Porter for this story!

[1] “Comic-Con International ‘07 to Draw Big Crowd to Convention Center” (Preston Turegano) San Diego Business Journal. July 23, 2007

[2] “EA Puts Sexual Bounty on the Heads of Its Own Booth Babes” (Ben Kuchera) Ars Technica Online News. July 24, 2009

[3] “Game Industry Finally Notices Girls” (Jason Ashley Wright) CommercialExploitation.org. January 13, 2009

Some angry extremists have been preaching anti-male sexism for a long time, and they’ve been good at getting media attention. However, most are not that way, especially not the fourth-wave, young, millennial activists. You might as well call every Muslim a terrorist, if you consider every feminist a “feminazi” (Thanks, Rush Limbaugh).

In a recent interview with a Norwegian journalist, pop artist Lady Gaga gave insight into a double standard within the music industry. Her frustration showed a desire for fairness in treatment of both sexes. She recoils from the word “feminist,” though, as if she were being called a racist or homophobe.

Ending ignorance about this is the only way to reach unity and understanding between the sexes. Any feminist who says otherwise is doing an injustice to the movement, and to herself.

Source:

“Why Lady Gaga, Why?” (Vanessa) Feministing.com, August 4, 2009

Who exactly is raising our children?

What are the consequences of children learning to mimic sexuality before they’ve even hit puberty? Is it all harmless fun, or a symptom of something deeper and more damaging?

What does this mean to you?

Thanks to Danielle in FL for this find!

Sources:

“Happily Never After: The Disney Princesses Get Real” // Telegraph Co UK

DinaGoldstein.com