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Tag Archives: Masculine Culture

Reflection on Birdman!

20 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by Tahereh Barati, PhD in Articles, Reflection

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Birdman, Constructing Future, Constructing new realities, culture, Male Culture, Masculine Culture, Movie Review, Reconnection, relationships

Birdman is a black comedy; it tells a story to expose us to dominant parts of the male culture.  As we may know, the masculine male culture includes stories of superheroes- gladiators, hulks and terminators- inventions and achievements; it is a culture that re-tells stories of power and domination; it is a culture that portrays images of competitive, insensitive and disconnected men.

The male culture doesn’t just influence men in our society; its narrative has shaped, shape and will continue shaping all of us regardless of our gender.   This movie is about a man and his relational struggles/ challenges with himself and with the world around him; i.e. his daughter, ex-wife, job, coworkers and etc.

Birdman is nostalgic! It shares men experienced when he lost his status in public eye. The movie also suggests ideas on what men should do to gain confidence and regain the public trust.

Due to many social changes in the past few decades, the male culture was affected significantly and consequently its powerful status and entitlement in society tremendously trembled. In the past few decades, the behaviours/ actions taken by men- under the influence of male culture- have been scrutinized, criticized and monitored significantly; very precise attention given to the masculine male culture and its application in people’s lives. Many eyes continue monitoring and criticizing actions of disconnection, insensitivity and irresponsibility that speak to male supremacy and patriarchy.  Men, themselves, have also begun to watch and examine their own actions towards others; they have taken critics’ comments seriously and joined them to enhance their roles in others’ lives.

I enjoyed the movie very much. It is about redemption; it is about a new realization; it is about regaining power and respect in a more sensitive, humble and connecting way!  The movie is an invitation to all of us (men and women) to become part of something larger than self; it is an invitation to participate but not dominate; it is an invitation to be present and treat others as equals and with care and consideration.

I do believe that all of us, men and women, need to catch up with the recent changes and adjust ourselves with the new thinking about relationships.  I believe that we need to continue re-examining our actions and participate in co-constructing new relational realities for a better world.  I believe that we have resources, strengths, and knowledge to respond differently and effectively to the today’s expectations of us as human beings. I believe that we have to take deliberate positions to not repeat the past but to make new realities that are more equitable, sensible and responsible.

Let’s reconnect and build a better future for self and others.

Happy possibilities,

Tahereh Barati

 

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Reflection- Billy Elliot!

20 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by Tahereh Barati, PhD in Articles, Reflection

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1984, Ballet, Billy Elliot, British Movies, culture of patriarchy, Dancers, Films, Gay Children, Masculine Culture, movies, relationships, social change, Social Norms, Stories, Story Telling, Union

Billy Elliot is a great movie and a great story that got me thinking about the challenges we face when our purpose/ desire doesn’t fit with what the dominant culture of masculinity.  A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance, the cultural pressures,  and the disintegration of his family.

The movie takes place in County Durham, during the endless, violent 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Billy lives in a family where his mom passed away, his father and brother rules the household and his grandmother suffers from mental deterioration. Under these conditions, Billy sneaks to the girls- only- attended ballet class to learn dancing.  Only one schoolmate, closet-gay Michael, encourages Billy’s desire, aroused by the teacher, who judged him talented enough for private lesson, to train and try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet audition. Billy through dancing frees himself and ignites his inner electricity in his own life and others’.

There are many scenes in the movie that brought emotions to audience. Moments such as when Billy re-reads, by heart, his mom’s letter; when Billy dances with anger against the social norm; when Billy’s father, who is emotionally distraught,  is torn between supporting the union or supporting his older son’s beliefs; when Billy’s father breaks the piano to warm up their house in winter; when Billy’s father cries out his loneliness at the Christmas night, and so on…

Watching the movie brought the following questions to mind:

  • What do we do to help our boys form their identity?
  • What struggles do our boys have in developing their destiny/identity today?
  • What are the current social stigmas against boys?
  • What challenges do we all face today while intentionally wanting to form our non-conformist identity?

Any ideas? Looking forward to hearing from your!

Happy possibilities,

Tahereh Barati

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