A very thoughtful, and thought-provoking article. Among many telling points you write '...American films have frequently depicted female nudity in such a way as to perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, reinforcing a culture of sexism and misogyny...' and I would wholly agree with that, but I am not so sure that French cinema is blameless in that respect - rather, the inherent exploitation reflects the fundamental nature of the society that produces it...
I think the movie is much more complex vs the media reaction. Based on your other articles, you know much more about film than I do, so I'm open to being held to account. But from what I do know, the writer is the same who wrote Promising Young Woman, which also contained about abundance of hyperbole and edgy expressions.
I don't think the writer should be held to account for that there isn't an offset to a more erotic presentation of the body. I want to give space for both ends, because it seemed well done. I might need to rewatch it, but I don't recall feeling there was a gender imbalance in the movie. There were plays on gendered roles but there seemed to be power associated with each role. Equality in nudity and sexual freedom. And a statement on the arrogance of inherited power. Much like Promising Young Woman was a statement on the cruelty of ego and appearance.
What's more on my mind is Bianca Censori and her recent nudity. I can't put into words how concerned I am that it's allowed to continue. For every younger male and female who is seeing the behaviour, absorbing it and moving towards imitating it.
Your two examples are hardly a representative sample of American cinema. The vast majority of films I see have no nudity or very little nudity, even when nudity would make sense. That is inconsistent with your blanket statement about American cinema.
A very thoughtful, and thought-provoking article. Among many telling points you write '...American films have frequently depicted female nudity in such a way as to perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, reinforcing a culture of sexism and misogyny...' and I would wholly agree with that, but I am not so sure that French cinema is blameless in that respect - rather, the inherent exploitation reflects the fundamental nature of the society that produces it...
Thank you for a well-written and thoughtful article.
I think the movie is much more complex vs the media reaction. Based on your other articles, you know much more about film than I do, so I'm open to being held to account. But from what I do know, the writer is the same who wrote Promising Young Woman, which also contained about abundance of hyperbole and edgy expressions.
I don't think the writer should be held to account for that there isn't an offset to a more erotic presentation of the body. I want to give space for both ends, because it seemed well done. I might need to rewatch it, but I don't recall feeling there was a gender imbalance in the movie. There were plays on gendered roles but there seemed to be power associated with each role. Equality in nudity and sexual freedom. And a statement on the arrogance of inherited power. Much like Promising Young Woman was a statement on the cruelty of ego and appearance.
What's more on my mind is Bianca Censori and her recent nudity. I can't put into words how concerned I am that it's allowed to continue. For every younger male and female who is seeing the behaviour, absorbing it and moving towards imitating it.
Go ahead and dance naked, I don't care.
French comedy has always been free spirited. See, for example, Dix Pour Cent, aka Call My Agent, on Netflix.
Your two examples are hardly a representative sample of American cinema. The vast majority of films I see have no nudity or very little nudity, even when nudity would make sense. That is inconsistent with your blanket statement about American cinema.