BellaOnline Forums TV and Movies Horror Movies I Spit On Your Grave - degrading or empowering?

There was no disrespect meant at all. I just wanted to hear from anyone who's seen the films/either version - because then they're in a better place to judge IMO. They saw how the movie was shot, if it was gratuitous. If the script was good. How it dealt with the story line etc.

So, no direspect intended Lisa - I hated this movie for the most part anyway - but I've seen it. Because... actually I do think you should see a film before you judge/condem it to whatever your thoughts are on the plot. Reading the plot of a film, say for example - 'The Accused' doesn't sound good written down - it sounds awful and gratuitous. Then you watch it and it's brilliant, and you see that certain scenes serve a point, for you to have empathy for the character.

I disagree to an extent, in the fact that I think revenge is sometimes the only way to go, and I think it would make you feel much better (in honesty all honesty) - despite the PC world we live in. If someone killed someone I loved, I could completley understand getting revenge on that person.

Yeah, Lisa, of course I've seen the 'Final Destination' movies I have mentioned them quite a bit on the site and reviewed a few of them. I really like the first one because it was by miles the best IMO, but I also liked the third. They both had the strongest characters/ plot - and they were just awesome movies. The second one is okay but I think the fourth is just utter rubbish - they should have left it alone after the third movie, I think

Here is a feminist review of the original film I found on the net to give a better understanding of the original film, and to give an argument from someone else who has seen the original movie, which is also known as 'Day of the woman.'

"Director Meir Zarchi was inspired by two reasons to make "the day of the woman." Two reasons that came from one real life experience. In autumn of October 1974, New York City, Zarchi was driving past a park with his eight-year-old daughter and a friend, when he saw a young woman, naked and bloodied, crawling out of some bushes. He stopped the car to get out and help her, and learned that she had just been raped. After dropping off his daughter first, Meir Zarchi and his friend decided to take the traumatized rape victim to the police rather than the hospital; their way of thinking that, they did not want the attackers to escape and rape again. It was quickly apparent to them that they had made the wrong decision; they were shocked by the treatment of the woman by an officer Zarchi described as �not fit to wear the uniform.� She was delayed for considerable time to be taken to the hospital, while the incompetent officer showed little understanding by making her follow procedure; like getting her to state her full name even though she could hardly speak because her jaw was broken. How many women do we hear of who lose court cases because they�ve been wearing a short skirt, as if they were somehow asking for the rape to be commited? It�s a gigantic proportion of rape victims who get no justice at all. So taking the original from a feminist view, that�s a strong argument for the original films feminist point it wanted to make.

Not at one point at all is it raunchy or titillating; rape is sexual violence, not the joys of sex between mutual consenting adults. Meir Zarchi succeeds in his execution of making these sequences completely repellent in witnessing these inhumane acts � not once are the perpetrators portrayed as likable and sympathetic; they are what they are � disgusting ugly pigs! There is no way any sound-minded humane male viewers could identify with these animals.

I mean, I certainly do not have these feelings about these scenes; Meir Zarchi achieves with me in what he sets out to do � to make me feel immensely revolted! The extensive rape set-pieces are there as feminist cinema to show us the vulgarity of these evil acts committed on women. As I said before, they are not there to turn us on, and the rapists are just loathsome; also, Jennifer is shown intentionally to be an intelligent, strong, and a good-hearted woman and the men are depicted as the lower common denominator � basic intellect and a total lack of humanity. One character, Matthew, is even retarded.

Because of these portrayals of the characters and the grim violence of the rape sequences, we are constantly looking at it from the female gaze."

point made. I shouldn't offer opinions on a movie I do not ever want to watch.

Note - the poster requested that her post be removed from this thread.

Actually Deb,

I find what you say very offensive, old fashioned and sad. Firstly, why would I assume your crazy? Secondly, why would I not understand it? The only thing I don't understand is why you would think these two things. I'm gathering you didn't read my actual review where I stated many of the points you just did. I can't have a discussion on a film if no-one has seen the film.

Men and women are different to an extent. However, I don't think men and women are as different as you say they are. I do think the media would like us to think that, and perhaps in some areas and places in the world men and women are these huge polar opposites. I think everyones different, but I also think we're the same. There are huge exceptions in gender, especially these days where the lines are blurring more and more.

All women are different, and I know many women who aren't as you described at all: "Women, we are the softness, the nurturers, and the healers." That's a huge stereotype which can do as much damage as it can do good. It keeps women in a safe little box. What about women fighting in wars alongside men? Women who murder? Women who are abusive? I think women can be many different things. They can hold every attribute a man does, and vice versa. They can also hold everything negative that a man can, and vice versa.

Believe me, I do not have any lack of understanding of the female species, and I find that comment very, very insulting. I've been brought up by women, I've never had any male role models as a child or adult. All my family is female and all my heroes are female - so sorry, but you are grossly incorrect.

I'm actually glad I brought this subject up in one way, because it's got people talking. I'm hurt on the other hand, because it's meant to be a discussion on a fictional film. Everyone's giving opinions, but no-ones seen it. It's ironic. The question over this film being feminist or not has been going since 1978, I'm just asking the question again to get horror movie fans to discuss it.

Now, not only is my gender getting insulted for the second time, but I don't like the fact at all that you've personally insulted me several times. You're not painting the picture of this stereotypical "softness" of the women you talk about, just a sexist one, not only against men, but women as well - in my opinion.

Since we're not discussing an actual film. Which is, after all, the point of this forum. Perhaps Deb, you would like to see that women DO take revenge on their rapists - and I say, good for them.

Here are several news articles Deb on women who have taken revenge on their rapists. It seems to me this film is not so far fetched at all, thank-you for teaching me this. I never would have done so much research without your words.

Women's Revenge On Rapists

One man here was stabbed and stoned to death by a mob led by raped women. According to the women, he had raped young girls and pregnant women and sent his henchmen to extort money - he wasn't punished by the law. Prominent among their supporters were 100 lawyers based in Nagpur who issued a statement saying the women should not be treated as the accused, but as the victims.

In another case here, two men accused of extortion and sex abuse were killed after demanding a local woman hand over cash for protection. When she refused they tried to strip her. Before they could leave the area, both were attacked by a group of women and beaten. One man died instantly, the other later in hospital.

Woman gets ultimate revenge on Rapist

This woman castrated the man that tried to rape her.

Woman avenges rape by Tattoo

This woman drugged her attacker and tattoed rapist on his [censored].

Now, I think we can see that some women, actually - a lot of women take revenge on their attackers, and when the law does nothing. Why shouldn't they? It certainly makes a much more compelling argument for this film as realistic.

I have seen both movies, the original and the remake. My first question is what kind of woman would take a solitary retreat into the woods, miles away from anyone? First big mistake! Second mistake, sunbathing half naked and waving to strange men, in secluded woods etc. etc. Anyway...

The rape scenes were nasty! I agree they are jerk off scenes for perverts. The revenge scenes, just as nasty. Justified? How she managed to set up all the twists and traps... no idea. Would I go to the trouble... no! Sit back and wait for karma to happen. She must have lost her soul when they repeatedly raped and soddomised her and I can see why she took revenge. She was certainly empowered in the film, but realistically what woman would be left alive after facing that kind of brutality?

These films show how vulnerable both sexes are when our liberty is taken away and we are the subject of someone else's whims. They also show what sick minds human beings have.

DO NOT CALL MY FRIEND CRAZY FOR OFFERING HER GENUINE OPINION! Please do NOT invalidate her opinion, nor insult it. I accepted that you stomped on my opinion, but don't do it to my friends. If you edit this message, I'm still keeping this original saved for exact wording.
PLEASE RESPECT THE OPINIONS of all the people on this forum, not just the ones that agree with you. That's part of an editor's job is to accept others opinions--especially when in disagreement.

I edited what you said because it was extremley sexist. Where do I call her crazy, I asked her WHY would she think I thought she was crazy??????????? All I recall is constant insults coming my way for posing a question. I now see she has completley CHANGED her post at 1.45 today - if she can't stick by what she said she should apologise.

How very crafty/childish of you both. This is actually getting quite ridiculous. I don't know what you're reading, but it is not what is written.

Thank-you Linda, I completley agree. Maybe some of the other people here would see that if they actually read the review instead of making this about themselves and some ulterior motive.