A documentary review by: Lee Sonogan
(2016) 1h57min/Documentary
“To be white, or straight, or male, or middle class is to be simultaneously ubiquitious and invisible. You’re everywhere you look, you’re the standard against which everyone else is measured. You’re like water, like air. People will tell you they went to see a “woman doctor” or they will say they went to see “the doctor.” People will tell you they have a “gay colleague” or they’ll tell you about a colleague. A white person will be happy to tell you about a “Black friend,” but when that same person simply mentions a “friend,” everyone will assume the person is white. Any college course that doesn’t have the word “woman” or “gay” or “minority” in its title is a course about men, heterosexuals, and white people. But we call those courses “literature,” “history” or “political science.”
“This invisibility is political.” ― Michael S. Kimmel, Privilege: A Reader
QUOTE 1
What is gender equality? This documentary describes a former feminist’s new views on the males side of the gender debate. Mostly in America, people take to the streets and aggressively March their views. Some make good points and some seem to be competing ideology with different people and groups. The doco suggests that if there’s a female side of victimism in situations then there a male side of the argument that should be more discussed. To get true unity and equality between genders in the world, you must respect both male and female as you would respect yourself.
Being a doco discussing male issues, the issues in the film have been given mixed reviews. On its theatrical showing in Australia, protest from feminist groups lead to the event being cancelled at the Palace Cinema complex. The Ultima Function Centre in the state of Victoria faced abuse and threats from feminists but refused to cancel the event hosted on their premises. Further more, being funded by some male gender activists
The title of the film is borrowed from The Matrix made 1999, when Morpheus offers Neo a choice of two pills. A blue pill, when swallowed you can believe what you want to believe, or a red pill, that reveals the truth. A truth you could take out of this is more and more people are creating less personal responsibility for their actions and more people are divided on issues more than ever.
In life, there is argumentatively more important issues out there in my opinion. Equality can not be solved in such ways people want until the level of life the most of the population is raised higher and we experience growth in all areas needed for the future. To me, this only divides the people of the world and then politicians and influences of the world take advantage of that. This documentary in my opinion suggest these complex ideas and proves my point. The ending leaves the director still confused and frustrated as everyone else. I recommend this movie to people who want a logical view of both male and female issues and want to decide their views by themselfs. Below is my first rating for a doco.
7.45/10
“Yes. And an indoor cat also, lives longer.” ― Bill Maher
QUOTE 2
“We must stop constantly fighting for human rights and equal justice in an unjust system and start building a society where equal rights are integral part of the design,”. – Jacque Fresco