Movie Review: “M.F.A”
M.F.A
(2017)
Runtime 93 minutes
Directed by Natalia Leite
Written by Leah McKendrick
Now streaming on Amazon Prime
Trigger warnings: a short but very graphic on screen rape, replay of video of a graphic gang rape, fraternity culture, full frontal nudity, extreme gaslighting, misogyny, blood and gore, self-harm and mutilation, sexual assault, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, psychiatric trauma, mental illness, anxiety, police and counselor questioning, rape culture, frank discussion and details of rape and rape trauma, graphic suicide
Thank THE LORD for movies written and directed by women which deal with the subject of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and violence against women. Unlike the ones written by men, this in no way shape or form glorifies nor sexualizes the physical assaults and atrocities. The women on this creative team get it all right.
This film does not focus on the men whatsoever but takes a “prevention is not the problem, it’s the culture that promotes it” approach and goes far beyond “this requires awareness!” It proves what we really need is dismantling of misogyny, less glorification of abuse and toxic masculinity and bro culture, and bring the entire bullshit to a full stop with consequences instead of excuses!!!
This movie has a very difficult to stomach and difficult to watch on-screen graphic sexual assault. I almost cried. These things are very, very difficult for me to handle, and they make me very, very sick. But I want to praise this movie for the way it handled that scene and spent most of the time focusing on Noelle, and her response. I also appreciate how not one single second of those brief few minutes remotely painted that monstrous man in any sort of positive way, and least of all not “oh this guy is still somehow redeemable, regardless of what heinous acts he’s doing rn.”
Cheers for portraying the internalized misogyny of the roommate, suggesting she was better off brushing it off. And having had that similar experience myself, I can tell you how horrifying it feels to have your peers dismiss you, especially a friend. And followed by the counselor’s berating response “did you ever say no or just ‘wait’” or “what did you have to drink” etc etc. These scenes are all filled with such embarrassment and pain and terror to be sure, and yet are also handled with such empathy and grace. That’s so personal and also a very feminine perspective from lived experience as a woman. It’s incredibly well done and handled.
This Luke guy is abysmal. He’s a monster. He gaslights. He excuses. He is an abusive motherfucker who deserves everything he had coming to him (and then some If I’m being real here). And so do the rest of these horrible motherfuckers...
It is time for the women to take a step up, to reclaim instead of recoil. And boy does Noelle deliver!!! HECK, FUCKING, YES, SHE, DOES!!!!!!!!! Every single fucking last one of them deserves what they get and then some. And then some!!!!!!!!!
Good. For. HER!
And her, and her, and her!
The women in this movie are all multidimensional, fleshed out personalities, while the men exist as props and tools. Noelle is absolutely fully fledged, well rounded, emotionally charged, and definitely evolves in response to her recent trauma. Her roommate has a layered personality and fluctuating psychological states relating to her own experiences. The woman raped by the fraternity and the support group women have brief appearances, but they are each one of them an indelible mark in the memory of the viewers.
Right down to the recoil on Noelle’s pizza date, this movie is without a doubt the most brilliant, brutal, and accurate depiction of the psychological rollercoaster of an assault victim’s experience of living in a world which elevates rape culture above all else. These writers know what the fuck they’re doing, and they don’t miss a beat.
I love the use of art and creativity here as the processing mechanism, because it’s one of the best things one can use to express trauma. I did it. Friends have done it (and it is a well-documented and genuine psychological therapy method!). And art delivers an incredibly powerful and accessible message to the audience where words often fail, and helps to raise more awareness and consciousness of social issues than mere reciting words ever can. Art often shows us what we are not willing to see, and speaks loudest especially to those who try not to hear.
In juxtaposition to Noelle’s brutal approach, I really loved the scenes of the “advocacy group” and how it explains so many people speak out and speak up but aren’t really listening. I love that it also shows the hypocrisy of the advocacy groups, but also the fact that folks have “given up” and “given in” instead of addressing the problem head on as much as they should.
This movie has a lot of guts and a lot of heart. It’s also equal parts slasher and crime thriller and beautiful, colorful art house fare.
The directing and cinematography are flawless!!! There are no accidents here, no audience-led interpretations, no, everything has an intention and purpose from the get go. The writing is thoughtful, clever, sensitive, as well sharp and witty, delivering absolutely powerful zingers that would slap an audience into understanding, even if they didn’t pick up on any prior subtleties.
Listen to women.
Support women.
Believe women.
Trust women.
People missing the point completely will be an inevitable part of this movie’s viewing experience, because in order to truly grasp it and the full power behind it? You’d most tragically need to have lived it. This fusing of reality and lived experience with the ultimate revenge fantasy is part of its beauty and also its tragedy. Its final act and finale are not about comeuppance or judge-and-jury mentality, it’s about simultaneously surrendering to pain and to your own brutal truth, and the power, the freedom, and bliss that comes from embracing the trauma, the fear, and the horror and still managing to stand. You may be bruised and battered, a little broken and raw, but the light no longer blinds you. It shows you that you can make peace with darkness, but don’t have to hide there. In the end, it’s about living.
This film has a lot to say.
I truly hope people listen.
But until everyone does, I hope the “Noelle’s” of the world continue to swivel heads and upend the status quo.
Let’s make them get it.
Make them look.
Make them see.
Make them listen.
Make it change.
