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Media_Justice
Media_JusticeThursday, September 24, 2009 at 8:47:00 AM EDT
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Jennifer’s Body piqued my interest not because of headliner Megan Fox, or because of screenwriter of Juno fame Diablo Cody, it was the director: Karyn Kusama . Have you heard of Kusama before? She’s one of a handful of female directors of Color in the US. She wrote and directed the film Girlfight which is almost ten years old and Aeon Flux . Girlfight was the film that introduced Michelle Rodriguez to the world and rocked mine.
The marketing for Girlfight is so powerful, even ten years later. I still remember going to an evening screening on opening night and joining the sold out crowd. I’m saddened by the marketing choices for the film Jennifer’s Body. The obvious over-sexualization of Fox’s character in materials where she is seated on top of a school desk in the very stereotypical school girl attire of short plaid skirt is one thing. Yet, add to that the film trailer that clearly highlights all of the most sexually provocative parts of the film. Have a look at the trailer below.
Yes, we all know the saying “sex sells,” but I’m not the only one dismayed by decisions with marketing. Kusama is irritated too and shares this in one of her interviews, saying “I’m definitely frustrated by the “boy-centric” angle that a lot of the marketing seems to have. It’s going against the grain of what the film is trying to accomplish… I don’t feel that this movie needed to be “falsely advertised.”… I am definitely concerned about losing the very audience I was speaking so specifically to, which, beyond young people, was young women in particular.”
I’ll be the first to admit that I like horror films. A lot. And I’ll probably go see this film because I want to support Kusama, and because I think this film will be what Kusama has identified it as being: “the idea that the victimization of femininity can easily become something monstrous in culture. I feel like I see that now, when I see 12-year-old girls who are hyper-sexualized because they don’t know what else they have to offer. That’s a monstrous strain of society, to me.” I’d like to make it very clear: I’m in NO way supporting Diablo Cody. You see, I got issues with Cody, ever since Juno.
When Juno came out all my sexuality educator friends were excited to use it in the classroom. When I saw it I was less than impressed to use it in my classrooms. You see we teach in very different ways and for very different students. From teaching in Maryland, DC, and now NYC, there is a difference, if not just regional, that is very apparent. Briefly, my issues with the film: 1. No discussion or examination of class status of the main character, 2. There are only four characters of color (two that have speaking roles, and two that actually have names in the film!) that are extremely offensive. Don’t remember them? Let me remind you: 1. The anti-choice Asian student, Su-Chin Qah (played by Valerie Tian, who is also cast in Jennifer’s Body) who could be Asian American but we are given the impression she may not be because of her accent, 2. The pregnant Black woman waiting in the clinic with one child and clearly pregnant with another, 3. The Southeast Asian male character, Vijay, played by Aman Johal (who is also cast in Jennifer’s Body), who wants to grow facial hair to show his virility, and 4. The ultrasound technician who speaks maybe 1 full sentence played by Kaaren de Zilva.
I know this is a small issue to have for just one film, and I squashed that by not using the film Juno in my classroom or going to the theater to watch the film. Instead I still teach scenes from Girlfight. However, as marketing for the film Jennifer’s Body began to include interviews with actors and Cody, I found this gem. All I can do is sigh. Brace yourself for what Cody has to say at the 4:30 mark when she is interviewed briefly.
If you can’t view the video above, or don’t think you believed what you heard; here’s an overview of what went down. Cody starts off strong with her discussion of female protagonist in horror films. She shares her joy in realizing the impact Juno had on some youth especially when a young person made a phrase from her screenplay into an iron-on for a shirt. She then shares her favorite line in the film Jennifer’s Body, which is spoken by Fox’s character and reads: “It smells like Thai food in here. Have you all been f*cking?” Cody chuckles about this line in her interview and says: “it’s really gross and offensive and like, I, it makes me laugh and if I can get that phrase out into the lexicon I will really be very happy. I’ll feel like my work is done.”
Um, Diablo Cody, your work is to what? Perpetuate offensive racist and sexist language? Really? Because in all the places I’m from, those are fighting words. Media Justice readers, I’m going to let you handle evaluating the impact and meaning of that comment because your girl needs a break from the nonsense!
Let’s take a look at what director Kusama says her favorite line is : “[I’m] cracking up over the line, 'these things are like smart bombs [refers to chest]. Just point them in the right direction and sh*t gets real.' What I loved about that line was that it was so funny to me, but what I think is a deeper sort of undercurrent to that line and to the movie in general is that on the one hand, this is a world where girls are not victims necessarily. Of course, Jennifer is a victim, but it's revealed that the way she is being victimized is actually sort of unexpected; we're assuming sexual violence, but in fact there's yet another layer to it. but [sic] in general, Jennifer's relationship to her sexuality is extremely confident – it's this power she knows she wields and she understands she's being looked at all of the time.”
Sighing swoonfully. Did I just make up a word? That’s ok, because I’m a media maker.
Brilliant women of Color directors must be supported! We need Kusama to continue making films with major production companies because she gets it, she understands the power of the media, she knows what messages she’s constructing, and she’s committed to creating them. Let’s take two weeks to go see Jennifer’s Body and meet back here to discuss! If you’re in NYC and want to see it together leave a comment with a way to reach you below or make a friend request on facebook with a message!
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Awesome post. We need women of color filmmakers because they get it and we also need women of color bloggers because not only do they get it but they share it and break it down so we all can get it too! You have definitely peaked my interest in seeing Jennifer's Body. I will definitely come back to reconvene about the movie. I am so grossed out by the Thai comment I do not know where to begin. Cody made a comment that seemed to acknowledge yet take perverse delight in the offensiveness of that comment. She seemed to delight in the "quirky-ness" and seemingly good-intentioned fun of that comment. I wish someone could stop her happy/self-righteousness train and let her know that most people do not enjoy being offended. Nor is there anything "cute" or "playful" about calling out a specific ethnic group and making derogatory statements about their food.... that is actually just hurtful. Thanks Cody.
# Posted By vanessaaishacoleman
| 9/24/09 11:07 PM
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vanessaaishacoleman
| 9/24/09 11:07 PM
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After reading the spoiler for this film (I'm scared of watching it!) I have to say the marketing for this film is incredibly misleading! I can't wait to see what others have to say after viewing this film.
# Posted By michellemysistahs
| 9/26/09 09:51 PM
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