A documentary has been getting a lot of buzz, and hits on some very important topics for parents to consider. Miss Representation is an award-winning film (shown on the Oprah Network last October) that looks at the portrayal of females in media, and how it affects not just girls and women, but boys and men as well. This important documentary is being shown free to the public at Glenbard West High School Tuesday, May 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., followed by a discussion with the film’s director, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The film’s website says, “In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. ” Click HERE to see an 8-minute trailer for the movie, or HERE for a shorter one. WARNING: There are some graphic images of partially clad women in these trailers in sexual situations. If you try to keep your eyes from these kinds of images, you should perhaps NOT watch the trailers or the movie. The message in the movie is mixed in with a particular political stance that you may or may not agree with, but the focus on media and its portrayal of women is undeniably powerful and important…and could lead to some good discussion. I would consider especially taking daughters to this movie.
