Rate It X

Directed by Lucy Winer and Paula De Koenigsberg

1986 | 93 minutes | Color | 16mm/DVD | Order No. 99291

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SYNOPSIS

What do men really think of women? This provocative, highly acclaimed documentary provides an unflinching look at sexism in America. A series of disturbing though sometimes amusing portraits uncover obvious culprits such as advertising firms and porn shops as well as often overlooked pockets of sexist imagery which promote gender stereotyping and reinforce negative conceptions of women and sexuality. With great humor and compassion, the film reveals men's deeply imbedded attitudes, showing how sexism becomes rationalized through commerce, religion and social values. Hotly controversial upon its release, RATE IT X is a challenging, invaluable film that illuminates crucial issues of censorship, advertising, pornography and violence against women. Produced by Lynn Campbell, Claudette Charbonneau, Paula De Koenigsberg and Lucy Winer.

PRESS

"Takes the blinders from our eyes. Not only entertains, it changes us."

Gloria Steinem

"Superb. An important contribution to current discussions of feminism, sexuality and media culture."

Judith Mayne

"Funny and outrageous, produced with humor, insight and irony."

Variety

"Presents a comic yet insightful portrait of the sexism that still permeates American popular culture."

Bruce Jenkins Walker Art Center

SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS

  • Berlin Film Festival
  • American Film Festival, Red Ribbon
  • US Film Festival

ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)

Paula De Koenigsberg

Lucy Winer

Lucy Winer, director, writer and producer, has focused on issues of social concern throughout her career. Her credits include the critically-acclaimed feature about sexism in America, RATE IT X; the first of its kind, Emmy nominated documentary about lesbian and gay seniors, SILENT PIONEERS; and the ground-breaking, four-part public television series, POSITIVE: LIFE WITH HIV. Recently she directed the PSA campaign for the UN Refugee Agency's Aid Darfur campaign, featuring Meryl Streep and Tony Bennett as celebrity spokespeople. Winer's work has been called “warm, witty and genuinely touching” by the L.A. Times; “immensely affecting” by the Village Voice; “hilarious” by the Hollywood Reporter; “intriguing, often hair-raising” by the New York Times; “produced with humor, insight and irony” by Variety. With Karen Eaton, Winer produced the award winning, ITVS documentary, GOLDEN THREADS, about ninety-three-year-old lesbian activist and organizer, Christine Burton, which aired on POV. She is currently in post production on KINGS PARK, a documentary feature which takes an inside look at public mental health care in America through the story of a single abandoned institution, Kings Park State Hospital. (3/10)

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