Ma vie en rose

[xiey]

Yesterday, we watched Ma vie en rose. For me this film is not talking about homosexuality, because Ludo actually considered himself as a girl throughout the whole movie. He thought there is just something wrong with his chromosome when he was born. And all the pains were also caused by other people’s belief that he is boy and it is inappropriate for him to act like a girl. I think this kind of confusion on sexism can be very different from the confusion on sexual orientation. I was just wondering if you guys have come up with the same kind of perceptions for the film or not, and which one (confusion on sexism / confusion on sexual orientation) do you guys think can bear more oppression from the society?

[iversonm]

I think both issues can generate an equal amount of oppression, but I think the question for the film specifically is the ways in which society constructs gender. The main issue for Ludo was his overt desire to be a girl, and to demonstrate behaviors typically associated with femininity. For Ludo, he found himself subject to the societal pressures of what it means to be a man, and how masculinity is constructed. In the eyes of his father, and much of the community, Ludo's behavior was perceived as unnatural as it subverted conventional gender roles and constructions of masculinity. To societies that rely so heavily on such constructions for maintaining relationships between the sexes, this is viewed as a very threatening concept. I think that the film overall was really pulling for every individual's right to choose their own gender, free of societal pressures and judgements. In this regard, I think the issue of homosexuality itself became secondary, as the subversion of gender roles was perceived as a much more threatening idea.

[crooksk]

I think that your sex and your sexual orientation are intertwined not only by society but also by biology.  Therefore I think this movie was about both, mainly because of the number of times that marriage was talked about with Ludo.  As unfair as the stereotypes are, often exceptions to sexual norms (what is typically seen as a "man" or "woman") are related to sexual orientation norms.  For example, a woman who has several characteristics that are "manly" is often called, from afar, some rude terms that basically boil down to her being a lesbian.  The random passerbys have no evidence of the woman's sexual orientation, only her clothes and appearance and way of presenting herself. In this movie, Ludo was oppressed for wanting to look like a woman as well as wanting to act like one in marriage, which constitute both sex and sexual orientation.

[Katherine]

I agree completely. I think that a lot of people have issues with homosexuality in general, but I believe that those who do not have issues with it are uncomfortable when people are very eccentric and open about it. People are often uncomfortable when they are not in a state of normality, and the issue of Ludo acting as a girl is definitely linked to confusion on sexism, rather than sexual orientation itself. I believe that currently, those in the LGBTQ community are suffering from the most oppression and hatefulness. Before the feminist movement, women and sexism might have taken the lead, but with current behavior and ignorance, sexual orientation is receiving the heated end of the argument.

[sarverk]

Like the "throwing like a girl" post, there are an infinite number of factors that play into identity. I also believe that biology has a really strong part, though. As silly as it is, women are the weaker type of human. Our muscle mass and hormones are different... Which is fine!

Identity and gender (and even sex) are entirely different entities.

 

I think the movie talked about both sexism and sexual orientation. Sexism, because Ludo choosing to be a girl was viewed as him choosing to be lesser - sexual orientation, because choosing to be a girl led him into homosexuality. I don't think either of these things should have to bear more oppression. I think that's really dumb and that if we could start mainstreaming these ideas earlier, we could get around all of the uneasy feelings. Neither is bad. Asking which "flaw" can survive more harassment isn't necessary. No one deserves it.

[beckk]

First, I think we should use gender identity instead of sexism. Sexism is prejudice based on a person's sex and gender is how a person identifies themselves. So Ludo was experiencing confusion with his gender. I also think we should consider gender expression which is how people express themselves (masculine, feminine).

This movie is loaded with confusion about the differences in sex, gender, and gender expression. Then, there's a layer of sexual orientation (wanting to marry his friend). With all of these things to consider, there is intersectionality. I'm assuming by what was given in the movie that Ludo's sex was male, gender was woman, gender expression was feminine, and sexual orientation was straight. It's hard to think about the fact that Ludo is straight, even though he is biologically male. But because he identifies as a woman, he would be considered straight. 

Thinking about oppression from society, I think it depends on the person. We could say that the stereotype of men is to have thicker skin so he would be able to handle more. However, Ludo does not necessarily identify as a man so he may act more like a stereotypical woman by being more emotional or distraught from the situation. In my opinion, there is oppression towards gender identity and sexual orientation because we try to classify everything. If we look at these issues as more fluid, then there wouldn't be such a debacle over how someone identifies. 

[kinnahanc]

I think that this movie also created some questions about how we should make kids like Ludo feel alright about who they are and raise awareness that it's okay to be whoever you are. Although this is far-fetched, it's still important to raise awareness among both parents and children about how detrimental bullying kids like Ludo, or any kid, can be to development. The way one's childhood effects who they are in later years is extremely important and should be treated with care, especially when it comes to someone who isn't considered 100% normal to society, like Ludo.

[vegliam]

I believe that the video portrays the struggle of not only the understanding, but also the acceptance of certain genders and sexualities. Specifically, I believe that Ludo struggles not with the acceptance of his gender and sexuality, but his understanding. He is unable to understand what is wrong with him being a girl, and why it is not socially acceptable. On the other hand, his parents are unable to either understand or accept Ludo for who he is. Overall, I feel like the film not only portrays the struggle of the oppressed group, but also highlights the struggle that the dominate group faces when it comes to understanding and accepting people who are different.

[godleskim]

I believe that confusion on sexual orientation bears far more oppression from society than does sexism. In popular culture, such as television and film, members of the LGBTQ community are not promoted as being "normalized," but rather they are often promoted as very one-dimensional, eccentric, flamboyant and often this comes with a negative connotation. Before the Feminist Movement, women were very oppressed, and are still oppressed in some ways today, but in this evolving society I believe that it is the LGBTQ members that are shown negatively. They are shown as fitting into a stereotype or an archetype that society has created based on their personal discomfort with anything but perfection.

[Aleasha Andrews]

For me, I feel as though the way you perceive your orientation based on your actual, whether it is the same, or different can, play apart is oppression in society. When you define your sexual orientation and the way you portray it there is always going to be someone, who disagrees or “makes fun of you” in society. I cannot say that I know which one is greater because I haven’t experienced either but I believe that if anything is denying a person of being a subject that allows for societal confusion and emotional misplacement within that society. 

[Tyler Manning]

I think the film heavily addresses the ideas of social norms and the concept of those who stray from what is considered to be average. The films depiction of the embarrassment felt by Ludo's parents as well as the shock and ridicule he received from his neighbors is a testament to the rigid structure of gender norms in society. Ludo represents an outlier in society and the way he was treated for embracing his own identity shows the lack of tolerance and adaptation in certain aspects of society.