SW Representation in Film: Poor Things
“You’re whores!”
“We are our own means of production. Go away.”
Poor Things really blew my mind; it has easily become one of my top 4 favorite films of all time. Not only is it one of the most visually stunning films I’ve seen, but I have never seen such an amazing portrayal of sex work. It was a part of the main character Bella’s story without making it the entirety of her story. The portrayal was honest; it didn’t frame SW as this extremely traumatizing thing nor this glamorous choice of work. The film showed a perfect representation of choice and circumstance; it verbalized why so many of us come to this work, "a woman plotting her road to freedom." The film also didn't frame the other whores in the brothel as competition; they gave Bella a good relationship with the other women. Poor Things is definitely a must watch!
We will be watching and reviewing movies that feature sex work and seeing if it passes our SW representation in film test 'The Red Light Rules' (loosely based off the well-known Bechdel Test):
- Does the film show an understanding of choice, circumstance, and/or coercion?
- Does the SWer interact with another person in a positive manner unrelated to SW?
- Does the SWer have a storyline, hobby, or interest outside of SW?
- Does the film have a happy and/or non-traumatic ending for the SWer?
