Balder and Dash | Roger Ebert: When the revelations of rampant sexual harassment and assault against former Miramax CEO Harvey Weinstein came out last October, industry veterans on social media commented about how much of an open secret it was. In its wake it revealed a string of actresses whose careers, once promising, were derailed after refusing Weinstein’s advances. Since then the movement against sexual harassment in Hollywood—from #MeToo to #TimesUp—has brought forward one word that’s brought down the careers of many females and was utilized by Weinstein against those who rebuffed him: difficult. Difficult is far from a career killer for male actors; Mel Gibson’s aggressive temperament has become a part of his filmic persona. But looking at its connection to actresses throughout film history, and especially its ability to stall or outright stop a female’s career, showcases it as a term of inherent sexism, labeled and controlled by men to demean and undermine female agency.
3 comments:
Before I started reading this article with an automatic bias because of the title. However, I am really happy to report that this article was a pleasant surprise. I have never once heard a male actor be called, “difficult.” The perpetual cycle of sexual harassment and the casting couch having admittedly ruined multiple actresses careers is devastating and angering. Also the point this article makes about success is never attributed to the individual, yet that failure is, is a sad truth that permeates our societal norms. Directors do not own actresses bodies while shooting films. Just because there is a hierarchy within the entertainment industry does not give all males the permission to abuse their privileges. Male actors are not allowed to touch their female counterparts during a scene just because the director gives them an order to do so. Every female is incharge of her own body. Also the fact that a woman’s contract in a movie could be raised if they show more nudity is appalling.
The idea of perception and women being perceived a certain way has been on my mind lately due to many recent events revolving women in power. The idea of a "difficult woman" is one that is confident and doesn't take any mindless treatment from her male counter parts, they are what many know as strong courageous woman. It's no doubt that its extraordinarily difficult for a woman to achieve a role of power, but this article emphasizes the woman who are in lower level positions that are met with dismay and aggression when they do finally speak up for themselves. No one's gender, sexual orientation, race, or appearance should ever hinder their ability to command respect. Many of the men that ay that women should stand up for themselves are the same people who label actress', technician s, and designers as "difficult woman and say that they over react. That culture needs to change in both our industry and the rest of the world.
I wish I had been keeping track of how many articles I have read about sexual assault incidents and the destructive aftermath to these women’s careers because of it. I am so disappointed every time I read how a women must always struggle because she is a woman. The idea of a “difficult” women is a perfect example of how men manipulate situations in their favor by putting down women they disagree with or who might’ve tried speaking up against the injustice. The fact that we don’t even know how many women are suffering from this tragic situation of a man trying to take advantage of her and when she refuses she is allowing herself to be shunned from the entertainment industry is so horrible. These women probably grew up thinking anything is possible and they can do anything with their life, only to be shut down forever from the dream of being an actor because a man takes advantage of her. Leaving her without a job, without a path, and probably mentally damaged from the experience. There should be more reprimands for men who have committed these crimes. I am sick of hearing about these experiences and not hearing what is going to change, what is going to happen to these white male directors who have too much power.
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