The U.S. paperback cover for the Quantum of Solace bookYesterday David and I went to see Quantum of Silence. I could not believe how prevalent the objectification of women was throughout this film, particularly during the intro. The introduction features a series of silhouettes of naked women against moving backgrounds. Sometimes the women are plentiful, coming out of a gun or dancing in a row. During other parts you see clips of a giant woman moving up out of the sand. Rarely do the woman have visible faces. They are bodies- sexual objects. Meanwhile James Bond prances around in his suit with his gun. (Take a look at a combo of intro's here.)
I'm not going to analyze the entire movie and look into the possible correlations of women in films and why women are paid less, etc., but I wanted to bring this up. Have any of you noticed this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I am in full support of women looking sexy and being physically fit, but something inside me doesn't like when a woman's bare body is flashed across the screen and reduced to an object. As a woman watching that I felt belittled.
FYI: According to Wikipedia: Sexual objectification is objectification of a person. It occurs when a person is seen as a sexual object when their sexual attributes and physical attractiveness are separated from the rest of their personality and existence as an individual, and reduced to instruments of pleasure for another person.
__________Now more than ever I'm learning how food really is fuel. Since I've been running more I am so sensitive to the foods I eat. Crap feels like crap when I'm running. I love how I'm becoming more aware.
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Really good question. I'm glad you noticed. Sadly, I feel sort of immune to that kind of stuff anymore. :(
I'm glad you enjoyed your time with David - so important.
i was actually watching 'die another day' -another one of bonds films and i totally agree! im against the objectification of women in any context but this issue seems to irritate me even more when i watch any one of the bond movies...
that's disheartening... and we wonder why we have issues! here's to a great week!
Not that it necessarily makes it right, but I think that's sort of a tradition with the Bond films right? I think the whole Bond thing is really pretty retro and dated, it's part of it. The actresses are hired to be the new "bond girl", the girl names are some sort of sexual pun. Personally I don't have a problem with it, but I think if you're sensitive to it, the whole Bond film industry should be avoided.
Food is all about fuel! And tasty fuel, at that.
I agree that there's a ridiculous amount of objectification when it comes to the Bond films, but to be honest I think its a part of an important tradition of what makes Bond. Everyone was pretty horrified when they didn't include the opening sequence with the naked girls in the last film, and I understand why. It's blatant objectification, but that's who Bond IS. He's a womanizer (or as my friend put it, a "womanizing hitman"). So I'm in agreement with Randi.
And at the same time, he takes his orders from a woman. And that's pretty awesome:)
Randi and Sagan- I definitely see where you're coming from. That's why I didn't over-analyze this movie. I know it's Bond and part of what makes it Bond, but it happens all the time in other films, ads, etc. I just want to bring it up for thought and discussion)!
Have you seen the movie? It's great!
Hi ashley,
I saw that movie too this weekend, it actually wasnt my first choice (because I hate how bond movies objectify women, that really keeps me from going to them.) but we couldnt get into our first pick, so there we were and the opening scene, really put me in a MOOD! I was thinking GREAT! here we go! The opening credits were very uncomfortable to watch! Suddenly I was feeling like my boobs weren't big enough! Surprisingly... the rest of the movie was pretty tame for BOND!
yep i agree! the movie was really tame compared to other Bond movies in terms of the amount of action seen on screen and how many ladies he "entertains".. maybe its because this Bond is more of a hitman than a ladies man? I saw this movie last night and I really think its part of the package for the Bond movies. I loved the movie though, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
I thought the female was an ass kicker though?? DOesn't that mean you can be a strong woman and look however you want?
Thanks for posting that about the movie. I really feel that this is why a lot of us have issues.
Yea, all the bond films start out with the same basic premise. Rent Dr No (1968) the first bond film to see a slightly tamer version of the same objectification. It's also one of the best bond films out there.
As much as I enjoy the sheer beauty of the naked female form, it's always bothered me that the bond intro's don't show faces. it takes the personality out of the women being depicted. I also have a difficult time believing Denise Richards playing a nuclear scientist (in Die Another Day?).
Seriously, add Dr No to the netflix queue. You'll see why Sean Connery was a finalist for Mr Universe 4 years earlier.
Kjrsten- I love how you put it.
Mariposa- It definitely was tamer! I'm not saying it was a bad movie (I really enjoyed it!).. just pointing out the sexual objectification.
Amanda- I was happy to see that the woman was so tough- but for me it didn't make up for the beginning.
Carolina John- Also nicely put. I'll add Dr. No to my list!
It's my first time commenting by you, but I've been reading for awhile!
I think that unfortunately, the objectifaction of women is just part of the Bond appeal. I think it goes along with the gadgets (although Quantum didn't have much) and the martini. I guess it's just something that I've come to expect with Bond.
Really interesting. I think that the bond genre especially tends to favor the outlines rather than showing faces; it's a nice critique on how some men refuse to see All aspects of femininity (i.e. our strength, intelligence, and personality) as opposed to just our bodies. I think that the objectification was really spurred by the sexual revolution as well (consequently, also when twiggy entered the scene and the 'need' to be Appealing through our bodies came into play).
That said- I do enjoy a cheesy action movie (although I prefer national treasure/die hard!); guess I'm a bit of a sellout, haha.
Glad you had a great time with david!
Thanks for commenting on my post, Ashley :)
I think you've asked a very though provoking question. I've kind of gotten used to seeing women's bodies being objectified in the media unfortunately.... But it makes me kind of sad, that women can't be portrayed as strong, confident, and sexy, without being labeled as a biatch. Also, I've been thinking about this lately, but there are HARDLY ANY young girls' books/stories about strong, independent girls. They are all mostly stories about princesses who are saved by princes? Why aren't there more stories about girls who go travel the Nile River, or climb Mt Everest, or go exploring, or invent something?
Woah... sorry, I guess I feel really strongly about this topic!
Maybe I should become a girl's book writer?
Jess- Completely agree.
SantaBarbaraDreaming- DO IT! The more healthy, happy voices out there the better!
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I love your comment about being more aware about the connection between food and your body. I overate last night and I definitely feel it this morning... definitely couldn't go for a run right now! Healthy food feels much better! (that sounded weird but it's true I think).
PS - Thanks for checking out my blog! I love yours!!! (already added it to my reader) :D