Director Nina Menkes compels the casual moviegoer and cinephile alike to confront how the visual language of cinema is used to disempower women at the most fundamental level.
Using more than 175 film clips from canonical Hollywood favourites and cult classics as well as interviews with filmmakers and scholars, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power reveals a sinister framework of misogyny and paternalism that, from early cinema to the present day, infiltrates some of our favourite movies.
Featuring interviews with leading actors, directors and film theorists, the film is a mesmerising visual journey through cinema’s sexist bloodstream that will forever change the way you see films.
⭑⭑⭑⭑ ‘Fierce and focused’ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
⭑⭑⭑⭑ ‘Will make you think about how you’ve watched films in the past and how you should watch them in the future.’ Sam Inglis, Hey U Guys
‘Nina Menkes’ eye-opening documentary will forever change how you look at films.’ Kate Erbland, IndieWire
Extras
Presented in High Definition
Audio commentary by director Nina Menkes and editor Cecily Rhett
Nina Menkes in Conversation (2023, 30 mins): the director looks back over her career with writer and curator Rachel Pronger. Recorded at BFI Southbank
UK theatrical trailer
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet with new writing by Sarah Wood and Kenneth Reveiz, a statement by the director and a biography of Nina Menkes by Sophia Satchell-Baeza
