Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power 2022

In a bold cinematic endeavor that will forever alter the way audiences engage with films, (Brainwashed) presents a thought-provoking journey that transcends mere observation to inspire profound introspection. This groundbreaking documentary draws inspiration from the pioneering work of feminist film theorists, such as Laura Mulvey, whose seminal concept of the “male gaze” has been a subject of intense scrutiny for nearly five decades.

In a world where the proliferation of hashtags like #malegaze on social media platforms like TikTok, with over 300 million views and counting, it’s startling to realize that on-screen sexism remains an entrenched issue. As Lena Wilson astutely noted in her critique, “You may think that on-screen sexism is a relic of the past or that its impact can’t possibly extend beyond the silver screen… Menkes is here to emphatically shatter this illusion.”

(Brainwashed) builds upon the foundational work of influential feminist thinkers like Judith Butler, bell hooks, and Angela Carter, integrating insightful interviews with 21 remarkable women and non-binary experts, as well as almost 200 iconic film clips spanning from 1896 to the present. Independent filmmaker Nina Menkes masterfully exposes the intricate ways in which shot design, including point-of-view shots, framing, camera movement, lighting, and sound, has perpetuated a sexist binary throughout cinematic history.

The documentary then deftly connects these “laws” of visual language to the interconnected epidemics of sexual harassment and assault, as well as employment discrimination against women. By deconstructing our deeply ingrained perceptions of who women are versus who we are “allowed” to be, (Brainwashed) empowers viewers with a newfound awareness of their experience of legacy filmmaking and its far-reaching implications for our daily lives.

Through this meticulous examination, (Brainwashed) equips audiences with the tools necessary to cultivate consciousness about their relationship with film and its profound impact on our reality.