Le Chapeau

I know this blog post is a while after the classroom discussion on the topic of feminism in film.  I took it up to find this film and watch it.  It took me awhile to find the free time to post about it. 

I was uncertain at first what I could even say about this film.  It was certainly a powerful film, explicitly and artistically addressing a serious issue.  The premise of the film is this: an exotic dancer has flashbacks remember the place where this man that sexually abused her would hang his hat (chapeau is french for hat).  The film alternates quickly the present day where she is dancing and being wooed and the past where she is regretfully being taken advantage of.  If you have sensitive eyes, it's probably best you don't watch this film.

At first you feel great disgust for this woman.  How dare she flaunt her body like that? Then as you see how she was abused as a child you begin to pity this woman more and more.  You see how the events in her past have lowered her self-worth to arrive at where she is now.  You realize how quick we are to judge people without knowing their past.  This film broke my heart for how broken this world is, I imagine it would do the same to any of you.