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September 11th has become a solemn day in the United States, but in Liverpool, Engiand it promises to be a day of celebrity-watching and protest. That's the day when director Quentin Tarantino plans to be on hand to promote "Deathproof," a B-movie "thriller" in which Kurt Russell plays an embittered stuntman who stalks and kills sexy women. The movie incited controversy and drew limited audiences earlier this year, especially because the filmmakers produced an "action figure" in Tarantino's likeness that was named "Rapist No. 1" The movie is part of a double feature with another snuff-flick, "Grindhouse.".
Feminist Activists Against Porn urges people to meet Tarantino with protests.
"Tarantino visiting Liverpool is being hailed as a triumph as part of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture. Feminists will be protesting against Tarantino at the opening of this film- making a stand against violence and rape of women as entertainment and against the Rapist No 1 action man doll. "
Be sure to read the discussion in the comments about whether Tarantino's movie qualifies as true "torture porn" or art. .
Matt Morton thinks this is no big deal; a rapist action figure is no worse than a Freddy Kreuger doll. He thought Bitch Ph.D. was overreacting in her post condemning the Tarantino doll, which she figures is being marketed to "grownups. You know, the kind of adults who think rape is fun. Or cool. Or a game. Or . . . something."
Then again, it's hard to be sanguine about glorifying media portrayals of violent rapists when news comes of people who witness actual rapes and do nothing. Broadsheet reports:
"Minnesota police report that a security camera caught a 26-year-old woman being beaten and raped for over an hour in the hallway of an apartment building. What's more, the security footage shows at least 10 neighbors peeking out of their apartments and venturing down the hallway to investigate the commotion -- but no one intervened...."
Read the whole post to find out what happened.
On a more optimistic note, Bitch Ph.D. shows that women can help protect each other. Back in March, she sang the praises of:
"Hannah Bridgeman-Oxley and Karri Cormican, the two bar workers who not only caught a guy slipping drugs into his date's drink--twice!--but were smart enough to swap out the first drink before the intended victim had touched it, follow her when she stepped out for a smoke to warn her, and keep the two drinks for the police to examine, thereby not only saving a woman from date rape but also ensuring that the failed rapist would be convicted..."
What do you think is the best way to encourage activism against rape -- in the media and in real life?:
