I found this article with regards to the Bad cinema topic. It seems that cinema has gone all hardcore porn as real sex are depicted in arty films such as ‘9 Songs’ and ‘Baise Moi’ (oh my god, there I was thinking that Bully and A Clockwork Orange were bad!). Are they showing us relaistic glimpse of real issues that we turn a blind eye to because we want to live in a world full of daisies and sunshine? Or is this just a ploy for ‘nobody’ film-makers to grab headlines?
With regards to the first question, I do think that some sex scenes in films are integral to the plot. For example, the sex scene in the film ‘Don’t Look Now’ is important to show love between the couple and it is this depiction of love that helps the audience understand the ending (won’t give too much away, but do check it out). However, that wasn’t real sex. There is a difference between simulated sex where the bits are covered (eg the Trinity and Neo sex scene in the Matrix) and unneccessary sex where there is too much being shown and done. I don’t mean to sound pedantic about this, but with the wide spread of HIV and AIDS, should the film industy be more sensible as opposed to letting attention seeking filmmakers show stuff that doesn’t add or contribute to the plot? What difference does real sex make to the film compared to simulated sex, other than to shock? To be honest, I think this sort of cinema has gone too far. According to the directors of French film Baise Moi, the sex scenes were “used to celebrate female sexuality rather than to excite men”. But if this was the case, why was actaul sex neccessary when simulated sex would have achieved the same effect??
With regards to the first question, I do think that some sex scenes in films are integral to the plot. For example, the sex scene in the film ‘Don’t Look Now’ is important to show love between the couple and it is this depiction of love that helps the audience understand the ending (won’t give too much away, but do check it out). However, that wasn’t real sex. There is a difference between simulated sex where the bits are covered (eg the Trinity and Neo sex scene in the Matrix) and unneccessary sex where there is too much being shown and done. I don’t mean to sound pedantic about this, but with the wide spread of HIV and AIDS, should the film industy be more sensible as opposed to letting attention seeking filmmakers show stuff that doesn’t add or contribute to the plot? What difference does real sex make to the film compared to simulated sex, other than to shock? To be honest, I think this sort of cinema has gone too far. According to the directors of French film Baise Moi, the sex scenes were “used to celebrate female sexuality rather than to excite men”. But if this was the case, why was actaul sex neccessary when simulated sex would have achieved the same effect??
Another thing that shocked me in the link was that the French film Irreversible featured a nine minute rape scene. Apparently, "250 people at a screening in Cannes were so sickened that they left before the end, some needing medical attention!". Being a Creative Writing student, I have to bare the audience in mind when writing a story. But it seems that filmmakers ignore that rule, as they seem to depict what they want as opposed to thinking about what the audience view as acceptable.
Apparently, director Gasper Noe wanted to tackle the issue of rape. However, we all know that rape is a disgusting crime even when watching soaps that deal with the issue, the Moe and Trever storyline in Eastenders being an example. Even though the actual rape isn’t shown, we understand the distressing impact it has on the victim afterwards when we see them crying or having difficulty in dealing with the ordeal. So why Noe had to feature a nine minute rape scene to tell us that rape is disgusting when we already know this is mind boggling to me. Not something I would watch, even if the cinema ticket was free.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3725545.stm
Apparently, director Gasper Noe wanted to tackle the issue of rape. However, we all know that rape is a disgusting crime even when watching soaps that deal with the issue, the Moe and Trever storyline in Eastenders being an example. Even though the actual rape isn’t shown, we understand the distressing impact it has on the victim afterwards when we see them crying or having difficulty in dealing with the ordeal. So why Noe had to feature a nine minute rape scene to tell us that rape is disgusting when we already know this is mind boggling to me. Not something I would watch, even if the cinema ticket was free.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3725545.stm
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