I’ve waited too long to post again on this film blog, but given the dearth of quality movies released between each Oscar season, it may be timely. I wanted to focus on women and violence in film, and when the Weinstein and other accusations started to roll out, it felt even more relevant. Earlier this year I saw the excellent “Elle” starring Isabelle Huppert and was floored by its raw, spellbinding, twisty, thrilling, and jaw-dropping story, as well as by a riveting performance by Huppert. It made me think a lot about violence and women in film, and how we either skirt or address the issue head on. Later in the year I saw the ghost-themed indie “Personal Shopper” starring Kristen Stewart (in an excellent non-Twilight-esque appearance) and thought about these issues again. How women live in fear of being assaulted/attacked, the role that men play in keeping women “safe” (or not) and of course the other themes explored in the film around reality versus fiction and how we define sanity. Finally, the latest in Hollywood scandal. As I learn about the overwhelming number of assaults, I find myself simultaneously surprised and cynical in response to the scale and breadth of the trauma suffered by the victims at the hands of Weinstein, Spacey and others. Disturbing would be an understatement. The broader conversation that these incidents have unveiled has allowed many of us to feel more comfortable talking about our own experiences of assault, harassment and violence.

The question is: what next? How do we change the conversation, our reaction to assault, and how do feminists (which I consider myself) address this?

Two other films I saw recently involving this theme were “Battle of the Sexes” and “The Florida Project” though highlighted in very different ways. “Battle of the Sexes” deals with sexuality, misogyny, fair pay issues and widespread sexism in professional sports. Emma Stone nailed her performance as Billie Jean King and was convincing in her depiction of the athlete’s laser focused drive. The end felt bittersweet given last year’s election result and begged the question: the match had a great outcome, but how far have we really come since 1973? “The Florida Project” was jarring, blunt, exposing and melancholy. It was also an expertly executed examination of poverty in America. Hard to watch but ultimately tinted with a welcome and ambiguous silver lining. Violence was more subliminal in this movie, but present nonetheless. How its used by people who are desperate, the both harsh and subtle ways that women are forced into objectification and exploitation, how easy it is to resort to self-destruction when trying to survive on the brink of homelessness and social isolation.

I look forward to Frances McDormand’s unstoppable performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MO” – a tour de force which is already being hailed as one of her best. Her character’s masculine persona contrasts with the story of a mother’s revenge and the all-male police force she takes on in an effort to find her daughter’s killer. I’m intrigued by her physical transformation in this role – the overalls uniform, partially shaved head, and brash voice.

In conclusion, violence is pervasive for both women and men all over the world, so it would make sense that Hollywood is a microcosm of this. We need to continue to think about and discuss the role of women in film, while honestly reconstructing the narrative so that our daughters aren’t expected to accept the overt and latent aggression we’ve allowed.