Film Details

This eye-opening documentary by celebrated independent filmmaker Nina Menkes explores the sexual politics of cinematic shot design. Using scores of film clips—from Metropolis to Vertigo to Phantom Thread—Menkes makes the case that shot design is gendered. She illuminates patriarchal narrative codes within classic set-ups and camera angles that display women as objects for the use, support, and pleasure of men. She also argues that these embedded messages affect society’s twin epidemics of sexual abuse and assault, as well as employment discrimination. Includes interviews with many industry professionals—Julie Dash, Penelope Spheeris, Eliza Hittman, Rosanna Arquette, et al. “Will forever change how you look at films.” –IndieWire. Cleveland premiere. DCP. 107 min.