Much of the society we live in is focused on the worship of the masculine ideal. It’s not only religion that is largely knob-centric, but the bulk of advertising, entertainment and popular culture is also geared towards the male. Women are the also-rans. Just think about how few films and television programmes pass the Bechdel Test (more on that later!)

I know I’ve ranted on incessantly in this blog about the woman-shaped-gap in history, spirituality and sex, so I’m always reassured when it turns out not to just be me who’s noticed. Helen Mirren received the “Sherry Lansing Leadership Award” at yesterday’s Hollywood Reporter’s “Women In Entertainment” event and gave an awesome acceptance speech about women, the movie industry and the positive changes seen within her own lifetimes. There’s still a long way to go though, as she made very clear:

“Really, not too much has changed in the canon of Hollywood filmmaking that continues to worship at the altar of the 18 to 25-year-old male and his penis.”

Quite.

Click here to read about the event and watch the video of Mirren’s acceptance speech at Jezebel.com.

Oh yes, it’s another controversial music video! BDSM imagery has been used to shock and titillate. AND IT’S WORKED!

Jared Leto, that pretty little topless chap from “30 Seconds to Mars” and a bunch of films, stars in this 13 minute epic with his bandmates, a hammer-wielding gimp, a feathery burlesque dancer and a lot of very beautiful women in shiny PVC, leather, latex and an assortment of bondage restraints. He is said to be “surprised” by the response received by his band’s new video. Since its release last week, the already-censored version has been censored even more heavily by a number of television networks.

“I’m not interested in provocation for provocation’s sake,” Leto told Entertainment Weekly.

Of course you’re not, Jared. Either way, a band whom I have no strong views on and would never have gone out of my way to see have caught my attention so, whatever he intended, the publicity worked. (And of course when I say “caught my attention”, I mean “given me the horn”.)

Enjoy.

Hurricane – 30 Seconds to Mars Short Film
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