Let’s Talk About SEX!
S is for substantial – no porn
E is for experimental, explorative and hopefully entertaining
X is for [insert sexual fantasy or taboo]
So far in this feature I have only written about the brighter sides of sex. There was some brief mention of rape in Crossroads – which I defended – and some of the subject matter in Breastmilk was slightly disturbing. But I have omitted that very dark place of severe sexual harrassment and abuse that is still so terribly present in many people’s lives. However, I had an experience that made me realize how important it can be to learn about something terrible, even if it hurts and makes you shed a tear – or a thousand. And since a look outside the window couldn’t be much more depressing, why not ponder on a movie about sexual abuse?
The Invisible War is a 2012 documentary about rape and other sexual abuse in the US army (or military, whatever). While paying special attention to certain cases, it also displays just what a vast amount of incidents there have been and how scandal after scandal has been suppressed by US officials. The film starts out almost harmless and then continues to shock the audience time after time by revealing terrible stories – all of this without ever being sensational. We are slowly being introduced to these women and men who seem so in control and self-possessed in the beginning of the film. As the narrative unfolds, the facades crumble and the director – without ever disrespecting the interviewees – gives us a peak at just how damaged and unstable these people have become.
Reminiscent of Michael Moore’s documentary filmmaking style, the movie features some rather ludicrous interviews with US officials, who insist upon the efficiency of their crappy system and rule set. One of the most interesting bits is a series of interviews with Dr. Kaye Whitley, Former Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office who produced some ridiculous, incredibly anti-feministic awareness material. As her botox-injected lips desperately try to form a smile, she assures us that her wanna-be rap commercial will keep assaultants from assaulting.
For someone who already has no sympathy for the US military the movie is still surprisingly shocking and alarming. I learned in school that the USA army was the deciding factors in defeating the enemy in both World Wars – the weak Europeans would have succumbed to their internal disputes without those Captains of America. Even though I know that this image of the American soldier is a cardboard stereotype, it is still hard to accept that men who swore to protect their home country would turn on their colleagues and supposed friends. They systemically take advantage of a system that – as we learn in the beginning of the movie – has tried to look like it’s advocating sexual equality for more than half a century.
The most powerful thing The Invisible War does is that it shows the initial enthusiasm and pride of the victims. We are entirely convinced of how much passion these people have for their jobs, so convinced that it baffles us (although that might be my lack of understanding patriotism). And then we see that passion get crushed by human instinct, greed and need for power. It would seem that sometimes, that’s what sex is for you.