The Woman
2011 Dir. Lucky McKee Social satire or torture-porn movie? Misogynistic trash or an examination of fundamentalist attitudes towards women? Feminist wish-fulfilment or objectifying glorification of violence? These are the kinds of questions that are being asked about The Woman and its gruelling rape-revenge story. Whether the film is viewed as a powerful portrait of misogyny, a thoughtful 'torture-porn' flick or simply a brutal and nasty gore-fest - The Woman proves to be an uncompromising and memorable ordeal. More a film to be endured than enjoyed, it has left audiences and critics divided and immersed in deep debate. Some critics have suggested that rape-revenge narratives can subvert traditional power dynamics, ultimately empowering the victim. Others have said films like The Woman or I Spit on Your Grave can't possibly be regarded as feminist works because rape-revenge films are inherently misogynistic, produced solely to depict violence against women. View...