New Moon: Resist, Resist! by Val LaCerra
My friend Val LaCerra, one half of the indie/folk duo Key of V, writes a scathing piece critiquing the Twilight series of books/movies. Although my concordance with her opinions are varying, I nonetheless think this is an important point of view that should be heard, recognized and considered. Enjoy.
The newest film in the Twilight saga is safely categorized as a romantic fantasy, but its implications seriously promise damage to the consciousness of a society that already depresses the spirits of women and men. If you have seen New Moon, please read this. If you haven’t seen it, read this, download the movie illegally on the internet, watch it, and then message me so we can organize a “Hello? Hello?” protest.
Bad Seed #1 in My Reality:
The entire Twilight cinema series so far has been strung together with the childishly tiny body of Kristen Stewart, who plays the character of Bella, ricocheting from one wall to another.
Bad Seed #2 in My Reality:
These exciting sado-erotic bouts are relived only at the hands–and chests–of alpha male types who function to qualify Bella’s existence (the character of Edward reassures Bella that she needn’t do anything but “breathe” in order for him to reciprocate her unhealthy obsession).
Bad Seed #3 in My Reality:
Bella’s happiness is entirely dependent on the attention–or love, or whatever you want to call it–of men. Had the audience been exposed to any of Bella’s emotional spectrum besides the melancholy she felt in Edward’s absence, we might act on inclinations to describe her as histrionic based on her destructive behavior. The young women I see and hear about in my life are in desperate need of female role-models who exhibit strength and perseverance with or without a mate, and
Bad Seed in #4 in My Reality: the character of Bella, viewed by enough people on Twilight’s opening night to claim the box-office record for the biggest one-day gross (most hardcore Twilight fans), is hardly an exemplar of strength and power. Although the character of Bella is portrayed as somewhat boyish compared to her foil Jessica, I suspect the fact that Bella drives a truck, doesn’t wear headbands, and hates shopping all work more to illustrate the “awkward” clumsiness that sets her apart from other females–and ultimately calls for males to save her–rather than challenging gender roles in the film.
Bad Seed #5 in My Reality:
A skinny, white-skinned Bella only has eyes for a relatively tall, [very] white, attractive, and mysterious Edward, inciting the character of Jacob Black, who is of Quieluete descent, only when she is desperate and despondent after being rejected by Edward. Before that, Jacob’s kind gestures seem to make Bella’s ivory skin crawl with “otherness.”
If you are a young woman (or a woman in general), you should acknowledge that Bella’s behavior and reactions to Edward and Jacob are not cool. Pining over men and waiting for someone to save you will limit your potential to be a kick-ass female. Challenge the degrading roles played by Bella and her friends in the Twilight series by not only resisting but speaking out against movies and books like this (use your words, your writing, drawings, and paintings, your photos, your attitude, your myspace and facebook pages, your car, your IM status message, text messaging, etc.). Don’t give your money the assholes in Hollywood that systematically make money off public insecurity and social inequality. And never, ever apologize for bleeding. You’re a woman; it’s your self-proclaimed right.
If you are a dude, you should also know that having a mate will not fill your void, validate your existence, or make you truly happy. More time and money goes into Robert Pattinson’s image than should be morally permitted by our species. And women are not damsels in distress, but friends who need your support just as much as you need theirs sometimes. You too should challenge the ideologies presented in New Moon and materials like it (if for no other reason: so your don’t have to save girls from jumping off cliffs).
If you are a parent, I’m sure you know what to do by now 🙂
I was so confused about what to buy, but this makes it uendrstnadbale.