Ryan Gosling Questions "Patriarchy-Dominant Society"

Ryan Gosling is not just a very attractive man, or a good actor. He is an attractive man who issues statements that include the sentence, “It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self.”

Harvey Weinstein has said Gosling’s movie with Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine, received an NC-17 rating because it contains a scene where Gosling’s character performs oral sex on Williams’. The issue of ambiguously consensual sex has also been raised, although rape scenes have never been particularly problematic for Hollywood before. The filmmakers are appealing the rating, of which Gosling says,

You have to question a cinematic culture which preaches artistic expression, and yet would support a decision that is clearly a product of a patriarchy-dominant society, which tries to control how women are depicted on screen. The MPAA is okay supporting scenes that portray women in scenarios of sexual torture and violence for entertainment purposes, but they are trying to force us to look away from a scene that shows a woman in a sexual scenario, which is both complicit and complex. It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self. I consider this an issue that is bigger than this film.

And Williams’ statement reads:

Mainstream films often depict sex and violence in a manner that is disturbing and very far from reality. Yet, the MPAA regularly awards these films with a more audience friendly rating, enabling our culture’s desensitization to violence, rape, torture and brutality. Our film does not depict any of these attributes. It’s simply a candid look at the difficulties couples face in sustaining their relationships over time. Blue Valentine opens a door for couples to have a dialogue about the everyday realities of many relationships. This film was made in the spirit of love, honesty and intimacy. I hope that the MPAA will hear our pleas and reconsider their decision.”

Let’s see if the MPAA buys it — or if they ask Gosling to translate.

Ryan Gosling Calls Blue Valentine NC-17 Rating Misogynistic [TresSugar]
Earlier: Uncomfortable Sex Scene Lands Blue Valentine NC 17 Rating