Do there exist any films (I was going to say "made before 2000" but, nah) that aren't horrifying in their gender politics? Just watched Blade Runner with some students. A couple freshmen guys were like, this film is too rapey for me. Me too--my tolerance for films with violence against women, or creepily sexualized nonconsensual interactions w women, is getting lower and lower as I get older. I have to experience this shit in everyday life, thank you very much! Film should be a goddamn refuge!
@miriam I never saw the original 'sex' scene as a rape until a friend suggested it. Looking back on it now, I see it. I often wonder why it was shot that way. What discussion occurred? I've read reports that Sean Young wasn't happy. Not sure about Scott and Ford. Scott has strong feminist credentials, doesn't he? I would be very interested in knowing their thinking behind that scene. Hope you're well.
I think Scott's feminist credentials mostly stem from Ripley in Alien and Thelma and Louise, which is a bit thin. Strong female characters but the male gaze is pretty obvious in the cinematography. It would be interesting (but deeply unpleasant) to compare the rape scene in T&L with the "love" scene in BR.
(Aliens vs. Thelma and Louise would be an awesome spin-off.)