I read the letter, “The realities behind the Fifty Shades” (Feb 13, online), with interest. I am less than thrilled with the film being screened in our cinemas, even though young adults, such as myself, are its target audience.
While Fifty Shades of Grey has aptly been given the R21 rating, I am concerned that the depiction of the dark relationship between an innocent, young women and an older, mysterious man romanticises a dysfunctional, abusive relationship.
It is not possible to separate aesthetic taste, decency and political ideas. Glamorised portrayals of women being dominated by men are thus damaging, fostering a base sexuality and a culture where women are over-sexualised and treated with contempt.
Such portrayals are equally destructive to gender relations. While banning Fifty Shades would have been too draconian in Singapore, and people can choose whether or not to watch it, we would do well to consider the film’s undesirable effects.
While Fifty Shades of Grey has aptly been given the R21 rating, I am concerned that the depiction of the dark relationship between an innocent, young women and an older, mysterious man romanticises a dysfunctional, abusive relationship.
It is not possible to separate aesthetic taste, decency and political ideas. Glamorised portrayals of women being dominated by men are thus damaging, fostering a base sexuality and a culture where women are over-sexualised and treated with contempt.
Such portrayals are equally destructive to gender relations. While banning Fifty Shades would have been too draconian in Singapore, and people can choose whether or not to watch it, we would do well to consider the film’s undesirable effects.
