Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power 18

“If the camera is predatory, then the culture is predatory.”

In this eye-opening documentary, celebrated independent filmmaker Nina Menkes (Queen of Diamonds) explores the sexual politics of cinematic shot design. Using clips from hundreds of movies since the birth of cinema – from Metropolis to Vertigo to Phantom Thread – Menkes convincingly makes the argument that many “classic” set-ups and camera angles hide patriarchal narrative codes.

Building on the essential work of Laura Mulvey and other feminist writers, Menkes shows how these not-so-subtle embedded messages affect and intersect with the twin epidemics of sexual abuse and assault, as well as employment discrimination against women, especially in the film industry.

The film features interviews with an all-star cast of women and non-binary industry professionals including Julie Dash, Penelope Spheeris, Charlyne Yi, Joey Soloway, Catherine Hardwicke, Eliza Hittman, Maria Giese, and Rosanna Arquette. The result is an electrifying call-to-action that will fundamentally change the way you see, and watch, movies.

Join us on Sunday 14 May for a special screening of Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power that includes a post-screening Q&A with director Nina Menkes and Melanie Iredale of Reclaim The Frame.