tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349382186889721635.post3264791908177747558..comments2024-02-06T12:29:18.715-06:00Comments on Nerdy Feminist: Spring Breakers and Female ExploitationA. Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404038071133506982noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349382186889721635.post-62260203717794550382016-09-12T02:17:24.710-05:002016-09-12T02:17:24.710-05:00I’ve recently watched this movie several times for...I’ve recently watched this movie several times for an assay I wrote on Korine. And though I did not analyzed from a feminist perspective in the assay I could not have avoided giving a lot of thought to this issue in the movie. <br />The first thing I want to say is that what I’m saying is not that this is a “feminist” movie, in the sense that it is not about women and men. It’s about the cultural depiction of sex and violence.<br /><br />I don’t want to get too much in to what Korine was trying, in my opinion, to say, since writing in English is not that easy for me. But I will point out some of the ways he undermine the exploitative visual tone to create a subversive cultural saying -<br />First of all I cannot agree that the heroines are not the story tellers, apart from the fact that there is no scene without one of them, they are given voiceovers rolls, which is the must blunt way in film to say – this is the person telling the story. We are always aware of their motivations and always have their perspective on events -and not anyone else’s.<br />Second - the movie does actually pass the Bachdel test - and more than once – at first it seems like a stupid point to make, but considering that there are not a lot of movies that do it’s a point worth making.<br />Third – though they are depicted in a sexual way by their costumes and by the way they are shot, they do not have sex unless it’s by their choice in a relationship where they are at least equal. They are never victims of their own sexuality. In a culture where sexual assault victims are often accused of “asking for it” by being “too sexy”, that is an empowering statement.<br /><br />Number four – they have a lot of control over their actions, and more over they back each other up in their choices. That is most apparent in the l scene where Selena Gomez’s character chooses to leave – she is able to stand her ground to Alien without helped and is completely backed up on her choice by the other women and does not criticize them for choosing differently – and that is an amazing display of solidarity – feminine or otherwise.<br /><br />Fifth- this is a personal opinion – I don’t think that this movie is sexually arousing- its depiction of sexual imagery, except for the sex scene at the end (which in my opinion is justified for symbolizing the bond between them), is always deliberately excessive and repulsive, and is parodying and criticizing sexuality in pop culture. <br /><br />by now I think I’ve made enough points to say that this movie is not as exploitative as many regard it – like most of Korines work its ambiguous in its saying and, once given thought, rises more questions then it answers which is by my standards the sign of good art . <br /><br />יואב בלמן - yoav belmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17077574244749452839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349382186889721635.post-53855649728357934662014-01-27T09:36:01.802-06:002014-01-27T09:36:01.802-06:00I saw the film and it is exploitation - basically ...I saw the film and it is exploitation - basically some tiny skinny girls who allow themselves to be used as sex toys by a thug walk about in very brief swimsuits waving guns around, and so because they have guns its supposed to be "empowering". Lots of focus on their backsides and often in slow-mo so we can really get the full benefit of those firm young cheeks a wobbling! What a load of crap. <br /><br />Very similar in may ways to Sucker punch - another group of skinny young women in their knickers, waving huge guns about that in reality most of them couldn't even lift.<br /><br />Its all about pretty girls in minimal clothing being portrayed as biddable sex toys. <br /><br />Don't kid yourselves that it is anything else.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284699666166136823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349382186889721635.post-54839634781849516162013-03-29T02:29:00.175-05:002013-03-29T02:29:00.175-05:00I really appreciate this post, and I am surprised,...I really appreciate this post, and I am surprised, especially considering Harmony Korine's reputation, that this movie hasn't been held under the microscope further. You helped me to clarify my feelings on the issues pertaining to this movie, not only locally but also in the larger context of Hollywood culture. Thanks!Richard Herberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07724196056204595784noreply@blogger.com