The highly controversial 2016 film exploring the men’s rights movement created by director Cassie Jaye, “The Red Pill”, is an interesting film, around which to base a blog post about the ethics of filmmaking. Please note, as with “What the Health”, the validity of claims being made in the film is outside the scope of this conversation. (I agreed with and saw reason with some of what was being put forth, yet disagreed with other arguments being made in this film). But really, my personal views on the film, as a self-proclaimed feminist with the view that gender norms should be dismantled on a broader, more general scale, is irrelevant.
Really, whether what was being said in this film is “right” or “wrong” is not central to this discussion. Conversely, the “rightness” or “wrongness” of the methods and techniques by which those opinions were foreshadowed is more pertinent to an analysis of ethical filmmaking.
1. Bias of the director
All films are inherently bias in one way or another. Our preconceived beliefs and values set inevitably determine how we engage with content, or shape and create a story from a production standpoint.
What I found interesting was the experience the director went through in so drastically altering her opinion and how this transition and change was at the crux of the film. (Going from being a self-proclaimed, ardent feminist, the director supposedly reconsidered her position on the issues of gender equality when exposed to some of the arguments being made by the men’s rights movement).
It would be reasonable to suggest that her inclusion of this was done so intentionally, to grant greater validity to men’s rights activists from a female perspective and to give the impression of a more balanced and open-minded approach. Had the film been created by a man, always having been sympathetic towards the men’s rights movement, perhaps it wouldn’t have had as much validity? Rather, by being presented by a woman initially of the opposing position, the film appears on the surface as more transparent and perhaps even “truth full” depiction of information.
2. Balance of subjects and perspectives
As we know, maintaining an implied contract with the audience to be truthful and represent your participants and facts in an honest and transparent manner is critical to good documentary making. Yet, naturally, the selection of material is central to how a filmmaker can manipulate their argument and present their subjects in a particular light.
Of course, a lot of footage cuts the editing floor, as the power dynamic between documentary maker and subject is reinforced throughout this process. Thus, no matter how truthful the maker intends to be, the film will always be subjective to some degree. While we have no way of knowing the full extent of what took place in the interviews Jaye conducted, there was balance of some degree in terms of the passionate positions being brought to the fore. While yes, this is a film about men’s rights activism and, according to the director, the disadvantages that men and boys face, prominent feminist perspectives were included.
Again, we don’t know with certainty what extracts from their interviews Jaye chose to show and, by not editing it into the film, discredit. It is likely she positioned the audience to view her feminist subjects in a certain light to align with the film’s agenda, as ultimately all documentary directors do. This is merely part of the nature of editing for a documentary film. However, those subjects still agreed to sit down and have their voices heard, signing a release form consenting to add to a film that might conflict with their personal set of values and beliefs.
Whether you agree with the arguments being made in this film, we can acknowledge that possessing the ability to challenge our pre-conceived thoughts and beliefs is rare. Jaye does this, the process she herself goes through from being a self-proclaimed ardent feminist to a sympathiser of the men’s rights movement at the core of the film.
I think that this is significant – again, regardless of whether or not we agree with all of the claims – because it highlights a willingness to re-consider and asses our values and beliefs in the face of facts and information. As a hopeful documentary maker I think this is an important skill to have, as well as a particular strategy to employ to give the perception of a balanced and considered perspective for your film.
