Fueled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality, our social environment has evolved to represent something that knowingly allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified.
With the rise of the #MeToo movement, the eyes of feminists have been on Hollywood. Feminists around the world describe a “matrix of sexism” in which elements of rape culture in cinema have formed a taken-for-granted backdrop to their everyday lives. We readily discuss examples we witness through cinema and TV, including victim-blaming, “slut-shaming,” rape jokes, the celebration of male sexual conquest, and demeaning sexualized representations of women.
Rape culture and sexual assault have ingrained into the lives of anybody with a Netflix subscription or ticket from their local movie theater. With recent social media upsurge over a Polish Film, 365 days, many viewers around the world criticized Netflix for providing a platform for ‘cinema’ that romanticizes kidnapping and distorts sexual violence and trafficking. Netflix has however refused to remove the film, following criticism and a petition stating the film “perpetuates the glamourisation of rape culture”.
Hollywood’s messages are not just confined to the borders of America— they have become an international source of entertainment, and an international movement recognizing its rape culture.
The History
Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Such culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety.
Sexual violence is used as a device in TV and films with such regularity that we are almost immune to it. Messages encouraging and desensitizing sexual assault are represented in box offices and television sets nationwide. This growing epidemic that seems to have adopted its origins in Hollywood dates back to the 1970s. A prominent and disturbing interview with the Academy-Award-winning Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci, in which he talks about how he and Marlon Brando conspired to film a rape scene with the actress Maria Schneider on the set of the 1973’s Last Tango in Paris, a film that was nominated for two Academy Awards and many other revered accolades.
The Guardian notes that the most disturbing fact of the incident was not just the assault itself, but what Bertolucci said to Brando prior to the filming of the assault. Bertolucci desired Schneider’s “reaction as a girl, not as an actress.” This statement incriminates Bertolucci for staging an assault against a young, vulnerable woman for his own professional gain.
What is more heartbreaking is the fact that Maria Schneider, who died in 2011, let the public know that she “felt humiliated and, to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci”. Despite all this, in the strenuous environment of Hollywood, rape culture continues to exist and little is being done about it.
The Opinions
Hollywood’s rape culture is deplorable, and yet, it continues to exist. One of the main sources of the problem is Hollywood’s power complex. Many of the people seeking to break into the industry find themselves at the whims of others with more power in the business. Within Hollywood’s atmosphere, monetary pressure and an unstable career can silence those who suffer. Though Hollywood promotes liberal messages, its rape culture is still prevalent. The scandals and sexual crimes that continue to pop up in the news are directly correlated to Hollywood’s biased nature and inability to confront its own problems.
Harvey Weinstein, the movie producer who has been involved with projects such as Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting and Sex Lies and Videotape, is now a convicted sex offender, following an exposé which revealed claims of sexual harassment made by various actresses and employees over a number of decades. But it’s not just the fact that this has been happening that’s disturbing – what makes it worse is that it’s been hidden by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Hollywood seems to have created a haven for men who commit crimes like sexual violence and abuse. Their careers are not hindered by these accusations. Except... Weinstein's exit might be a small light at the end of the tunnel.
However, unsettling is one of the many words that could apply to the developments on the story of Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard,as new evidence reveals Johnny Depp, who had been accused by Amber Heard of physical abuse, was in fact the one being physically abused in the relationship. Now, as they approach court, Depp is now suing Amber Heard for defamation and damages, with surmountable evidence and sworn eyewitness statements. Amber Heard’s former personal assistant has accused the actor of stealing her own experience of being a victim of sexual violence and twisting it into a different story.
Hollywood’s efforts to be liberal are inconsistent since many of its actions directly counteract feminist messages. Few harassers are punished severely, and accusers often aren’t taken seriously or even believed. It’s increasingly problematic when also considering that actresses get asked questions about sexual assault more often than actors, including those who have responded to allegations. This proves the public’s difficulty focusing on the bigger picture: that both men and women are victims of sexual harassment and have the responsibility to act accordingly toward our problematic rape culture.
The Conclusion
Hollywood has set the standards for filmmaking and is celebrated around the world. However, in the social sphere, it needs to start taking initiative, even if that means having its best people held accountable. Many of Hollywood’s celebrities have been outed for their crimes, but have faced minor consequences and continue to do well in their professions. People need to get past the facade that actors and studio-goers put up and start prosecuting these criminals for hurting countless women and men. Like it does for its films, the American movie industry must also set the standards for how it treats sexual assailants.
Rape culture today is pervasive and not only prevalent in Hollywood, but everywhere including college campuses, hospitals and workplaces. The statistics show that between 90-98% of rape survivors do tell the truth, yet rape is a felony where the victim is often disbelieved and in turn the conviction rate is absurdly low. When any movie tries to create nuance over or celebrate an issue that is an epidemic in our culture, we all need to stand up. Movies are not just movies. They are touchstones, reflections of our culture of where we are in society, of who we all aspire to be.
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