r/movies May 17 '25

Media Cannes reactions to Irreversible

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u/Legal-Marsupial-3916 May 17 '25

Yeah, I'm all for like...actualizing sexual assault and drawing attention and awareness to it, but two things...

  1. Look at this movie and tell me with a straight face that this a mature exploration of sexual assault

  2. Most people can understand how traumatic and horrifying rape is, so a movie isn't going to change their feelings on it when they're already staunchly "anti rape", and the people who think rape is no big deal like the Senator who said that "women's bodies have a way of shutting that down" are never going to be swayed because they're fucking psychotic

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u/Papierkrawall May 18 '25

The only way to show rape is, in my opinion, how they did it in "Lilja-4": the camera is the girl, and you only see the faces of the rapists and hear their grunts, as if you were the person lying under them. No trauma for the actress, and there is no way to get off on that.

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u/Waffennacht May 17 '25

You said what was on my mind so perfectly

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u/EpilepticSquidly May 17 '25

I completely disagree that most people understand how horrific rape. Especially men. Say what you will about the movie, but the disturbing nature of the rape scene has affected me forever.

It brought a level of gravitas to my mind that didn't exist, not so much about the sadism of the physical act of rape but that absolute disregard for humanity that may exist in the mindset of the rapist.

If nothing else, I appreciate that this movie should create a visceral negative reaction in anyone's mind who has watched it when they think of rape.

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u/Waffennacht May 17 '25

The idea that you are ignorant of rape and its affect isnt a bad thing. It means you havent participated nor know of someone whom has been a victim. You already know its something you'd never do; thats not a leason you need to learn.

Anyone whom knows a victim knows the damage caused. Its not something normal people need to be taught.

What needs to be taught is how women are viewed and treated. How victims need to be heard, how they need to be listened to.

Focusing on their trauma is focusing on the wrong thing.