Protesters calling for a boycott of the film said that the act of support for Fifty Shades of Gray
Campaigners of the “50 Shades Is Domestic Abuse” campaign wore T-shirts and held banners with the campaign name printed on them, protesting at the Fifty Shades movie premiere. Darker (50 shades of black) in London, England on February 9.
Natalie Collins, who founded the campaign in 2012, told The Sun: “Hundreds of people were here to celebrate a film that glorifies and normalizes abuse.” The group emphasized its “huge concern” because the film was supported by showing that “we as a society cannot recognize what is abuse”.
This domestic violence prevention expert explains: “Recent women’s marches demonstrate that gender equality continues to be an unrealized goal, while men are more abusive. We are looking to peacefully protest the message of Fifty Shades Darker and educate the public about this behavior.”
Meanwhile, participants in a similar campaign called “Fifty Shades Is Abuse”
Of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that public They should donate to women instead of buying tickets to see a movie that romanticizes abuse.
Dr. Gail Dines, who studies sociology and women’s studies at Wheelock College in Boston (UK), said that she did not watch the movie because any “woman who met Christian Gray in real life would do anything to possible to avoid repeating that violence.” The female doctor accused the film of hiding men’s abusive behavior behind a flashy appearance.
Amanda Smith, who helps run the campaign, agrees with Dr. Dines. Amanda condemned Fifty Shades: “It’s a lie. (The film) tells women that they should endure physical abuse, that women want it, even more deceitfully “lures” them into thinking that if women are submissive and obedient they can regulate the violence. force and control a man”.
In addition, many other religious organizations are also dissatisfied with the film.
Meanwhile, according to the Telegraph, the filmmakers of 50 Shades of Dark, when asked, confirmed that the protesters misunderstood the movie. The crew also concluded that the protest group had perpetuated “harmful stereotypes about BDSM sex (*) (rough translation: sadism)”.
Dakota Johnson, the actress who plays Anastasia Steele in both Fifty Shades Of Gray and Fifty Shades Darker, shared her thoughts with the Associated Press: “I think if those people watch the movies, they will see that Anastasia is an empowered young woman and everything she does is voluntary. I think that she’s self-reliant and self-respecting, maybe if they watch it, they’ll see a little bit of inspiration.”
And Jamie Dornan, playing the role of megalomaniac billionaire Christian Gray
Added that sadism is based on trust, willingness and maintaining safe boundaries. The actor said: “People just do it because they want to, no one forces you to do it. Some people like to be tied up, whipped. I don’t but a lot of people do that in this world, They like it and that’s their right. It’s a consensus and we should stop arguing about it.”
The author of the Fifty Shades Of Gray trilogy as well as the producer of the two film adaptations – EL James, of course denied the opposition’s accusations. EL James emphasized that the film would not have become such a global phenomenon if it promoted abuse. She said that if the film contained real abuse or mistreatment, “no woman would come and support it” as is actually happening.
James Foley, who replaced Sam Taylor-Johnson as director of 50 Shades Darker, expressed confusion because he could not understand the protests against the film. Even James Foley thought this was “ridiculous”. “This is about two consenting adults doing what they want to do. He respects her enormously and in some cases she even takes the initiative, so any exploitation of women , at least in 50 Shades of Black, is absolutely ridiculous.”
It can be seen that the protest campaign failed to prevent the success of Fifty Shades Darker. Despite having to compete with John Wick: Chapter 2 and LEGO Batman Movie, the film still grossed more than 146 million USD worldwide in just the opening weekend. It is expected that it will continue to attract viewers in the following days even if it is underestimated by experts.
