A multi-faceted look at how, in a supposedly egalitarian (Western and post-industrial) world, women are still locked into gender roles and, disproportionately, victims of violence and discrimination.
The film may be unsettling to an American viewer, with its lack of narration, but it lets the people and issues speak loudly for themselves. The main shortcoming here is the lack of context. For example, there are interviews with battered women, and we hear that every three days in France, a woman dies by her partner's hand. Fair enough-- and awful-- but what % of French is this? What % of men die at women's hands? Does all abuse look like what we see int he film? These are minor concerns-- overall, this is a provocative and thoughtful film, and teachers will find interesting stuff to engage students on the film's website.
The film may be unsettling to an American viewer, with its lack of narration, but it lets the people and issues speak loudly for themselves. The main shortcoming here is the lack of context. For example, there are interviews with battered women, and we hear that every three days in France, a woman dies by her partner's hand. Fair enough-- and awful-- but what % of French is this? What % of men die at women's hands? Does all abuse look like what we see int he film? These are minor concerns-- overall, this is a provocative and thoughtful film, and teachers will find interesting stuff to engage students on the film's website.
