Memphis Women in Film: Our Monster, Our Selves

Our Monsters, Our Selves: The Monstrous Feminine in Horror Film
by Dr. Marina Levina
Associate Professor of Communication, University of Memphis

A brief history of the representations of women’s bodies in horror film, illustrating how—and for what reason—women and the feminine have been portrayed as monstrous, deviant, and in need of control and punishment. Dr. Levina argues that these representations are intimately tied to the politics of the past and of the present. The films discussed include Cronenberg’s The Brood, Alien, Jennifer’s Body, and Carrie, amongst others.

Equal Means Equal is an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. By following both real life stories and precedent setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez discovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace matters to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, the healthcare system and the legal system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws in place that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.