Over 80 movie clips from 1896 to 2020 illustrate how cinematic shot design influences gender representation and reflects societal issues.
Synopsis
Over 80 movie clips from 1896 to 2020 illustrate how cinematic shot design influences gender representation and reflects societal issues.
Go deeperPeople
View all →
Synopsis
Nina Menkes presents a critical examination of cinematic representation in "Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power." The film features interviews with artists and scholars, including Laura Mulvey and Joey Soloway, who discuss the male gaze and its impact on women in film. Using over 80 clips from movies spanning more than a century, Menkes analyzes how shot design contributes to the objectification of women. The documentary also addresses the systemic discrimination faced by female directors in Hollywood, prompting a broader conversation about power dynamics in the industry.
What Critics Say
The GuardianNina Menkes’s rigorous film-theory docu-essay teases out the differences in the ways men and women are treated, both on screen and in the industry.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet influential voices like Laura Mulvey and Joey Soloway
- See hundreds of film clips analyzing gender representation
- Find out about Hollywood's job discrimination investigations
Did You Know
- Nina Menkes developed the film from a 2017 essay and presentation.
- The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
- Maria Giese took her findings to the ACLU, leading to an investigation into Hollywood.
- The film's funding came through a tax-deductible donation to the International Documentary Association.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Brainwashed?
Brainwashed was directed by Nina Menkes.
What major film festival did Brainwashed premiere at?
Brainwashed premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
What was the main focus of the documentary Brainwashed?
Brainwashed examines the biased representation of women onscreen compared to men in film.
Awards & Festivals
What are people saying?
Play More Like This
Related Films
Is this your film?
If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.
Comments