Film/TV: 3 Tips for Thinking About the Work of Controversial Figures

·       As viewers of film and television, it is important to consider the implications of the media we are consuming and its creators, especially in regards to the recent Hollywood movements relating to abuse and assault. As a film student at Northwestern University, I have two articles that will help you navigate the conflicting feelings you may feel when thinking about the work made by controversial people.

      In the Paris Review article What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men? author Claire Dederer grapples with her own feelings on consuming the work of controversial figures. She goes through many men: Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby, Woody Allen. She ponders if it’s fair that these men’s transgression are interfering with her connection to their art, and asks what their situations mean for her love of their work. Additionally, she discusses what our moral responsibility is as viewers when watching these pieces. Finally, she poses the questions: “What is to be done about monsters? Can and should we love their work? Are all ambitious artists monsters? Tiny voice: [Am I a monster?]”

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Source:  https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/25/us/list-of-accused-after-weinstein-scandal-trnd/index.html

      Wesley Morris discusses the implications of the Bill Cosby trial in his New York Times article How to Think About Bill Cosby and ‘The Cosby Show.’ He cites the 8 season show as a source of foolproof happiness and joy. But, he also emphasizes that there are other parts of Bill Cosby that people tend not to focus on. He explores these parts of the public figure, and argues that America’s collective cultural memory may be selective. The fall of Bill Cosby is complicated, Morris argues, by racial issues. In cases such as Cosby and OJ Simpson, Morris says: “If achieving success in this country is twice as hard for black people, it’s also doubly tough for black people to flunk their own.” Morris also points out that Cosby decided to weaponized his work by utilizing lines from Fat Albert, which remains a big disappointment for the author.

After reading these two articles, and from my studies as a film student at Northwestern, I highly recommend these action items the next time you are thinking about work created by controversial figures:

•  Reject the weaponization -- Do not let the art of the artists become an excuse for their transgressions; do not let them use their portfolios as a weapon of strategy to negate their wrongdoings.

• Mourn the nostalgia -- If you wish to condemn the artists, you cannot separate them from their alter egos; their wrongdoings have contaminated even those most innocent and comforting works with controversy

• Accept the conflict -- This is an important ongoing conversation that requires nuance and the exploration of context as it relates to many factors; accept that while there is no easy solution, the dialogue around this topic is productive.

While watching film and television, it is important that we do not forget the context of the media we are consuming. We must explore our own moral responsibilities and, most importantly, remain in an open and ongoing conversation about these topics.

Kiki Meiners-Rios is a dedicated student at Northwestern University studying Radio, Television, Film + Creative Writing + Integrated Marketing Communications. She endeavors to work in the film industry, and you can connect with her on Twitter (@_kiki_m) or LinkedIn.