Remembering Thelma and Louise: movies and violence against women

Me & my best friend bought/watched The Accused last week.

It's an awesome film. My little sister thinks so too (Y)

I now need to hunt the rest out to watch :)

x

An 1987 Austrailian film about a small town where "boys will be boys."  The town's boys gang rape girls and the powers that be ignore it. Like Thelma and Louise, the ending doesn't resolve anything, but it's a great movie.

Actually, (and don't flame me for this, b/c I think everyone else in the world really enjoyed the movie), the subplot of her mother in Muriel's Wedding floored me. It hit too close to home for me. While I love the soundtrack, it's too depressing - I can't watch it again.

"the accused" was THAT movie for me. although the movie scene haunting me even more was in "general's daughter" many years later....

interesting that you bring up "sin city". granted, there is violence against women, but also women standing up for themselves and doing something about it.

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THE UNOFFICIAL JILL BENNETT FANCLUB WEBPAGE
http://www.freewebs.com/ujbfc

I just wanted to say: way to write a riveting blog post... In France a woman dies every three days killed by her partner... and we have a sad estimate of 2 millions beaten women in a country of 65 millions souls...

So thank you for helping to raise awereness by any mean and pointing out the obvious problems linked with the success of the torture genre...

"I'm gonna give you all a nice, fun, normal evening even if I have to kill every person on the face of the Earth to do it"

Side note: Interestingly Jennifer Lynch (director of the awful Boxing Helena) has a new film out very soon (if not already released in places). It's called Surveillance and before you panic, it has had, so far, some very good reviews. I've seen the trailer and it looks interesting...don't know if I'll drag myself to see it mind.

So far she hasn't lived up to her father's reputation to say the least! 

I think I'd have to say "The Colour Purple" was that movie for me.

Thanks for this article Sarah - glad to see some serious issues mixed in with all of the fun around here (although I don't undermine the importance of the fun since it helps to "normalize" the lives of lesbians and to display successful and happy role models for young people who are unsure about embracing their sexuality because of stigmas etc.... haha.. end of rant) This kind of writing makes me think back to the Big Gay Picture... with an entertainment twist.

Check out the hottest new up-and-coming artist, Mess F - www.messf.com

The Accused and Thelma and Louise - movies like this are an important recognition of what goes on all too often day if you're female. More recently, as well as North Country, films such as Monster, The Dogwalker, and all of the Prime Suspect Series starring Helen Mirren, on one level or another explore the issues you've raised, and how women must try to cope with that which no one should ever have to cope with. I also have a theory: if men AND women ceased the prolific use of 'bitch' as yet another of the endless list of 'acceptable' synonyms for 'woman', maybe we would all do a better job as seeing women as fully human; just a thought.

I actually thought Boxing Helena was a really good movie. I'd never seen so well articulated how people come to feel dependent on unhealthy situations for their self-worth.

 However, I did watch it during my early feminist days where I truly was a man-hater, and the movie said to me that no heterosexual relationship can be based on love and equality as long as we live in a gender-based class system. Maybe, now that I no longer actively hate men, I'd get a different message from it (or not consider that one to be as positive as I did at the time).

What I find interesting, is how the same movies can be perceived so differently depending on who's watching them.

For example, even though I heart Thelma and Louise and have seen it many times, the movie never made much of an impact on me.  

Generally, I am also not really bothered by movies like Sin City or Hostel 2.

However, a movie that did have a huge impact on me was the Accused. It's been years since I saw it, but just thinking about those scenes in the bar still freaks me out.

Although technically not about violence against women, another movie that really affected me was Boys don't cry.

I do not mind watching movies that include violence against women, unless the women are portrayed as stupid victims. That always pisses me off more than the violence does.

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-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Who doesn't blog these days?

Blogs like this, are the reason I prefer the written blog, to the Vlog. This was thought provoking, and meaningful, and unfortunately, I think those things often get lost in the desire to keep the vlogs lighter, and more fun. Anyone can talk in front of a camera ... not everyone can write.
It truly is a lost skill.

Thanks, Sarah.

Lisa

Boys Don't Cry came out a month or two after I came out to my best friend (who was the only one who knew at that point), and we went to go see it. We came out of the movie theatre speechless, dumbfounded, and totally depressed. Much like you mentioned, Sarah, fear of swimming in the ocean after jaws; I vowed (at my friend's request) to never step foot in Nebraska (which, since then, I have done ... but VERY cautiously!)

Girl, Interrupted came out the same year that Boys Don't Cry did, and while it deals with madness and what madness entails ... it did (and does) make me happy to have a movie about a female "institution" that didn't involve the male terrorism of women. The film does, I think, succeed in dealing with the relationships (and sometimes violence) of women against women ... but the female relationships remained in-tact. In other words, thank you, James Mangold for staying (mostly) true to Susannah Kaysen's memoir/novel.

Now ... what do we think of movies like Monster? where it's reversed gender terrorism? Or is it inapplicable because it's a (pseudo) bio pic?

"Boys don't cry" really hit me in a way "Thelma and Louise" didn't, even though I felt every word susan sarandon spoke about the rape. But Boys don't cry...well...has a shock potential that just made me think, and think, and rage for days.

Very recently, I also saw "plenty" with Meryl Streep, which though it isn't set in our times, is basicly about a very intelligent, outspoken woman post-WWII who is declared to be mad every time she speaks her mind, sedated and held back to fit in the role expected of her. Can tell you it pinched the feminist string.

You kids are way too young to remember this one: man breaks into a house and horribly abuses a woman who then proceeds to fight back, eventually caging him in the fireplace. One of the most memorable shots in film history is of her digging up the tomato patch with plans of burying him in it. There's a fantastic performance by Farrah Fawcett, along with wonderful supporting roles by Alfrie Woodard and Diana Scarwid.

I do not shock easily but that was one of the harrowing films I've ever seen, the "breakfast" scene was the most perverse things I'd ever witnessed.

When I first saw the Color Purple I knew nothing about it. In fact when our neighbor brought it down for me, my mom and her friend to watch, I actually thought she was putting in Purple Rain the movie with Prince. Needless to say that once it started I knew I was in for something much more then I expected.

Both The Color Purple and Set if Off were the movies for me. I've watched them both over hundred times and each time cry just as hard as I did before. Those movies give me the courage to speak out whenever I see anyone being disrespectful towards women or girls.

Thelma and Louise - Never seen it.

North Country - Saw it and loved it.

Boys don't Cry - Amazed me and made me really aware of transgendered men and women. It also helped me let go of the idea that Hillary Swank was bad actress. lol Her small role in the Buffy movie really stuck with me.

The Accused - Surprised me. I was 12 when I saw it and I didn't know anything about it when I watched it. It freaked me out that something like that could even happen.

What's love got to do with it - Is one my favorite movies. At the end when she fights back and runs away, no matter how many times I see it, still makes me cry and swell with love and pride for her.

I love Sin City. Yes, there was violence against women but there was also extreme violence against men. The characters that wronged women in the film were killed and often mutilated. Men were protecting women and women were protecting themselves. I'm excited for the sequel.

Thelma & Louise was definitely a powerful film for me. It was a visceral experience watching the movie and I remember details about that night that I would normally forget. It was like being punched in the gut, but it could end no other way. Truly an excellent, empowering film.

Thanks Sarah for the post. Don't let vlogs entirely take over. Keep up some of the good writing!

If I can be a fangirl for a moment, one of the reasons I got hooked on AE back in the day is that, not only was it started by a smart lesbian, but a smart feminist lesbian. Blog posts like this and not infrequent rants on the vlog about crappy representations of women are a big reason why I *heart* Sarah Warn (gotta get one of those tee-shirts...)

Thanks for a great post.

I agree with a lot of the movies posted like Boys Don't Cry and Fried Green Tomatoes.  I haven't seen any of the others, but when I saw Boys Don't Cry a couple of months ago I was enraged.  I have several transsexual friends and transgendered friends (and we all live in Nebraska, not everyone's like those rapists/murderers) but I was shocked at the extent people go to hurt those defined as "other" or don't fit a certain role in society.  Truly horrible.  

Oh that's right, North Country.  I couldn't stop telling people about that after I saw it. Very powerful message and struggle, that is still going on today (Ledbetter case). Keep it up ladies! 

That's the designated day for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by the UN General Assembly,  in December 19, 1999. That day was already used by several women activists since 1981 (against violence). This date in particular was chosen because it was the day of the brutal assasination (strangled and beaten to death) of the three Mirabal Sisters by the orders of the Dominican Dictator Trujillo. This caused outrage in the public, and eventually prompted the assassination of the Dictator 6 months later, by his own entourage.

A book as made in 1993 by Julia Alvarez, (it can be found in english), and a movie years later, in 2001, with Salma Hayek as Minerva Mirabal, and Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama in Galactica). The book/Movie is "In the Time of the Butterflies" ..maybe the movie wasn't that good, and a bit fictional about the sisters, even the book, but it is based in historical facts, confirmed my parents when they saw the movie, and they experienced the times of the Dictator. There is another movie about the Mirabal Sister in the works, this time with Michelle Rodriguez as Minerva Mirabal.

I also remenber that italian jean rape case, it was the talk at the university, but I never knew that they made a day out of it..

 Great article Sarah, Thank you.

I think that the following all also dealt with violence against women and were wonderful, if haunting. some were already mentioned, but i'll just add them anyway. :P

boys don't cry

monster

the magdalene sisters

north country

rabbit proof fence

i really recommend all of them, though they will probably elicit anger, among other emotions.

peace and love,

EleetheGreat

before i even read it in the comments section, i thought 'this is the movie that made me feel, viscerally, the ugliness of violence against women.' the scene in the bathroom is so harrowing; throughout the movie brandon teena has been such a charming, endearing, sympathetic, sometimes very sexy young transgender man, and in that scene, those two assholes in that bathroom redefine her. they reduce her to their vision of her: a freak, a crazy person, and most importantly, a woman. when they violate her, that's their way of making her into what they think a woman is; it's their way of putting her in her place.

that's one of the few movies i've never been able to watch more than once. that and the french movie 'irreversible.' this is just a word of caution: never, ever, ever watch 'irreversible.' 8 minute graphic rape scene, and it's homophobic as hell. just saying.

Thank you Sarah for bringing this topic to the table.

I haven´t seen most of this movies but the ones I´ve seen were extremely powerful. It´s nice to see movies that "break the mold"and get a break from all the movies were the girls/women are painted as defenseless and in need of a man to save them.

If you can find them, I highly recommend 2 films by the Dutch filmmaker, Marleen Gorris: A Question of Silence and Broken Mirrors.

A Question of Silence was viewed by many as being quite subversive when it came out in terms of the way it looked at the disempowerment of women - a passive form of violence. 

Broken Mirrors deals with the story of a serial killer and is juxtaposed against the sex industry in the Netherlands. Many people I know found it to be very disturbing to watch, but ultimately, I saw it as a statement about refusing to allow oneself to be victimized.

What about a blog post about the violence and disenpowerment against women comitted by women?  It's all around if you just look.  One of the things about 9 to 5 that always bothered me was the way everyone just knew how Dolly got her job.  I find that to be a bit more horrid than the company's policies. or Dabney Colman's character.  In Boys Don't Cry the girlfriend is just a culpable as the rapists are because she knew what would happen.  Sorry, just don't buy that she had no clue he wasn't quite all man till the end.  Don't even get me started about The Devil Wears Prada.  As far as TV you can use about 10% of any SVU season, not to mention Buffy and Xena.  Maybe it's because I have worked in blue collar male dominated jobs (constuction and mechanics) most of my life with very few problems, but I think that this is one area that feminists largely ignore.                                          

how about sleeping with the enemy with julia roberts and enough with jenefer lopez

although i have seen it with my own eyes over the years and abuse of women is not something that should happen or needs to happen. and the more women stand up for them selves i think the more men will reliazie we can not do this any more cause we are likely to get the crap knocked out of us.....

Like too many women in this world, I was not struck by the reality of the abuse againts women through a film, it was through life... I myself am a victim of verbal  abuse... My father hates women... Not a good environment for my mother, sister adn I... My sister was sexually abuse several times, by friends of the family,  before the age of 7... She shared this with me when I was still very young... Since then I have had a deep hurt and sometimes violent anger for all women who suffer every form of abuse.... Because of this, I try my best to avoid movies that portrait sexual abuse or any abuse against women in general... I am a huge fan of Jodie Foster but you couldn't pay me to watch 'The Accused' as I would have a difficult time keeping my anger in check...

May we all be protected...

Also for me, Thelma & Louise, The Accused and What Love's got to do with it were movies had a huge impact. T&L made feel a lot of pain for all those woman who until now have that kind of life (specialy in some small cities here in Brasil where men really give the rules).

I can also give 2 Monica Belucci movies that can really make you feel depressed with violence against woman: Malena (2000) - so sad - and Irréversible (2002) - made me vomit. Well, I don't hate men, that's not the reason why I'm a lesbian, but I just can't stop myself from hate the fact that a lot of them can feel sexual pleasure by raping woman. I just don't get it.

Last Exit to Brooklyn; probably one of the most soul destroying movies I've ever seen. I watched it once, years ago and it's never left me. Jennifer Jason Leigh at the peak of her powers portraying a woman victimised by poverty, pimped and abused who accepts her oppression because she believes she deserves nothing better. I loved Thelma and Louise, I felt liberated by them and their love for each other despite the ending. Illogically perhaps, I've disliked Brad Pitt ever since. Your Friends and Neighbours; a chilling catalogue of dislike of women and a subtle disempowerment agenda.

Love the writing. Editor in chief, you are doing a great job.

This movie changed the way I look at violence. What happened to Brandon or Teena was an atrocity. We tend to forget that all the women in this film were abused verbally and physically, especially Candace, the young mother who is shot in front of her child because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Very good movie.

CATHY DEBOUNO'S NUMBER 1 FAN

 i completly agree. it;s sad when society thinks that watching torture movies is entertaing. i know it's just a movie, but the filmakers had to research torture techniques. what does that say about the people that are basicly in charge over what we as a society. People can say " don't watch it if your that disturbed by it". Well, thats all well and good, but the content is still out there for people to absorb into their psyce. the fact that women make up the majority of vistums in these types of movies reflects on cartain peoples attitudes torward woman.When i watched "What's Love Got to Do With it". It infuriated me,even htough i knew the outcome. Society is so very messed up if torture movies and movies depicting violence torward woman as a form of entertainment. Entertainment to me is something that i find funny, or a bueatiful singing voice, in short content that is beautiful. I just feel wery strongly about this subject. i geuss it's the femenist in me.

I'm known for having a strong stomach and being able to watch almost anything. But i was actually physically sick at this movie. The level of violence and its graphic nature made me vomit. I barely watched the film the first time and I have refused to ever since. The rape scene inside the trailer is vile and I absolutely think it wasn't required. Made me quite sad.....................

- What's hotter than Simone Lahbib downing a pint and Jorja Fox in a tank top?...................... Sorry what was the question?? -