I've mentioned this film a couple of times in my posts...I finally got to see the much-anticipated (at least by people in my hometown!) movie, North Country the other night. It takes place where I grew up, and it is a "based on a true story" movie about the nation's first class-action sexual harrassment lawsuit. Below is a review that I submitted to christiananswers.net (Christian Spotlight on the Movies)...for your reading enjoyment!
[Positive - First of all, the original reviewer is right: If harsh language offends you, stay away from this movie! That being said, the writers, directors, and actors were DEAD ON in their portrayal of the Mesabi Iron Range—an A+ for accuracy!! I grew up on the Range, and it was actually a lot of fun seeing my hometown on the big screen. I was skeptical as to Charlize Theron's ability to portray a 'Range woman,' but she pulled it off.
Having read the book 'Class Action,' as well as the transcripts from the actual trial, I can say that the events portrayed in the movie were extremely sanitized compared to what actually happened. Of course, there is a timeline issue, but considering that the harrassment took place in 1975, and the case wasn't settled until 1997, there needed to be a certain amount of artistic license taken.
As to the question of why this film was even created, why not? This was a major landmark case that affected how women are to be treated in the workplace. 'Sexual harrassment' was a laughable term before this case went to trial, at least on the Range and in a lot of other rural areas. As women, we take for granted that we can go to work, even a 'man's' job, and be treated with respect, and if we are not, there are 'zero tolerance' policies in place that will protect us. The film does tend to gloss over the fact that the women went to court for the primary purpose of creating a sexual harrassment policy, not just to sue for money, or because it would be 'new' or 'different.' Does a policy stop sexual harrassment? Of course not, but it does send a message that a company cares for all of its employees, and ultimately (after a long, dragged out court case!), the women in the mines got exactly what they had been asking for.
The scenery shots were breathtaking, if not a bit excessive, and I was disappointed that if Niki Caro was going to shoot the beautiful scenery of Northern MN, that she almost completely left out the lakes. But since it took place in the winter, that made sense, too.
So should a Christian see 'North Country'? If you can get past the language and are not disturbed by the portrayals of the harrassment that takes place, there are some wonderful messages¯standing by your friends, standing up for your family, strong work ethic, fiercely loving your kids no matter what—these are values that were instilled in me while I was growing up on the Iron Range, and I am happy to show the rest of the country a small glimpse of the harsh, cold, quirky, loving small town that I grew up in and will forever have a piece of my heart. My Ratings: Average(This refers to the morality - I gave it an "average" because the language, though somewhat offensive, is also very true to life - if they were going to depict the Range, sad to say, it needed to be there!) / 4 (This was the filmmaking, on a scale from 1 (least) to 5 (greatest) —Leanne, age 29]
Thanks Puppetmaster. Well, how could there be a movie about the topic of sexual harrassment without it being offensive? Hmmm. It sounds interesting especially for a girl's night out. Was it PG 13 or R? I went to see TD Jakes movie Woman Thou Art Loosed and thought it was awful!! I encouraged the women of my church not to go see it. I was very disappointed in how it was portrayed.
The movie was about another difficult topic: child molestation. However, the Christians on there in church came across as very carnal and worldly. How long can you be a "casual" Christian or carnal Christian and still make it to heaven??! They were living too close to the edge for me! But the thing I disagreed with the most was that the child who was abused comes in a church service with a firearm (as a grown adult) and while her "step father" is at the altar for the first time or so it seemed to be a repentive action, she shoots him in front of the whole congregation? Go Figure!! That is the dominant visual of the movie and I don't know what they were thinking!
For me, I guess I need to stick with G or PG. Unless it's The Passion or some other reality movie that shows real life true stories! Thanks for sharing. Priscilla 2
"North Country" is rated R - mostly because of subject matter and language.
I usually stay away from films that I know will have harsh language - but I made an exception for this one because it was filmed in my hometown . Sad to say, when I watched it, it seemed way too natural - listening to the people talk, I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend or family member who still lives there (unsaved friend or family member, I should clarify!). They definitely curse and drink with gusto!!
I try to be upfront about language when recommending a movie to someone. A friend told my DH and me to watch "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," so we did - we enjoyed it for the most part. Except this friend had forgotten to mention several instances of God's name in vain, plus a sprinkling of other foul language. Makes me mad when I don't at least have a fair warning.
But regardless...take my review for what it's worth. They're predicting the film to be an Oscar contender, and the acting and cinematography are both extremely well done!
I'd definately go see a movie filmed from my home town too Thanks for sharing and it does sound interesting! I think the movie that I told you about must have been rated R because of the sensitive topic also. They are reality checks.
I definately have a problem with folks who harass others over gender, race, etc. Even in the church as a whole (Body of Christ) there's an underlying current against our gender. I went to a business that was ran by an professing Christian and he talked about all that God has done in his life. It was a great first impression. However, each visit he became more and more flirtatious even knowing I am a PW and we are both married. I was SO SHOCKED! I didn't know what to say. Finally, I talked to a lady from my church who recommended his business and she went to him. She said, "How dare you do that to my PW !! If you keep treating women like that, you'll have a sexual harrassment lawsuit." It scared him so bad that he called and apologized! All my life there's been problems with men in this area so, I find the movie that you shared about an interesting topic.
Priscilla, as you know I have faced the same things from time to time, in fact - not within my church - but from an outside source I went through this just this week. It still has me a little frosted. It is difficult to not hold on to this type of offense but for our own sakes, we must let it go.
Right now I am angry about it and planning on walking it off over the next few days.
Deanna, you are handling your frustration the best way! (work that body:)
I am proud of you. Stay true to your calling. God does surround us with people who do understand the call of God on our lives and will lift us up in the place God has for us! So be it! It is good to reflect on these things.
We could jump through hoops for people but humans are so fickle that as soon as we are what they want us to be or as soon as we fit their prescribed role ....they'll change their mind again. So, let's just be what God wants us to be and surround ourselves with one's who "celebrate us not tolerate us" (like you've shared before, Deanna).
Sexual harassment is the pits whether it's subtle or obvious...whether it's sensual or discrimination...it hurts. So praise got for forums like this I appreciate you women pastors!
Yes, praise God! I was praying that this would be a place that people would run to, to talk about things like this. We can't talk about it in the pulpit, to preach about it is not wise, to focus on it with those outside our calling is not the answer. But we have to take it somewhere. I have found only those who are in your shoes can understand it.
This week I actually heard someone compare being a woman in leadership (they didn't believe in it) to homosexuality. Talk about shocked! A comment was made about America being desensitized to the sin of homosexuality...and the person went on to say...just like with gays, they are now being desensitized to the issue of women in leadership. To say I was a bit on edge when that was said? You bet. Unfortunately this came out of the mouth of a "spirit filled" Christian. I couldn't believe it. Many other things were said, but that was a statement that stuck out in my mind. I was ever so glad when it was over, although I wanted to go back and ream them out.
Although they are unfortunately in my denomination thank God they are not in my church!
You may have heard the story about a young man wanting to learn to be a great speaker. He made an appointment with the great orator Socrates. The young man talked, talked and talked. Socrates decided to charge him double. The young man said, why? Socrates said:Because I see there are two sciences you must learn! One is how to hold your tongue. The other is how to speak. And the first takes longer to learn than the second. So, you did good Deanna!
I've found that when it comes to this issue, there's plenty of opportunities to hold our tongues. Speaking to someone who has their mind that made up is foolish . My dh said men who have a problem with women in leadership, just leave the church but women can be a handful because they will stick around but "influence" others. Count your blessing that the person you encountered is not in your church! I am glad that we have AG history to fall back on. It does help some to have the confidence to step out in ministry when you know others may not understand or may be opposed. At first, you "do it afraid!" The "woman question" just gets old! The enemy must laugh when we get side tracked with this rabbit trail!
Umm...good point on the A/G history! We've always ordained women. Maybe this guy needs to find a new denomination to fellowship with!
Biggest difference between women in the pulpit and homosexuals in the pulpit: It's not a sin to be a woman! The issue with homosexuals (or fornicators, or drunks, or gamblers, or whatever...) in the pulpit is that they are living a life of habitual sin while serving as an example and shepherd to others.
Sigh. I get so tired of this argument. Fortunately, as a children's pastor, I don't get it as much, because chauvinistic people like that tend to think it's "okay" to minister to kids, and that we're staying in our "place" by being a children's pastor.
There is still somewhat of a "boys' club" in ministry, even in the wacked-out, liberal north (my best friend's heritage is southern, and she is always talking about how much more liberal MN is than, say, Texas or Oklahoma!).
Our district superintendent is amazing at including the female pastors when he speaks, and he really sets the tone for the presbyters and the rest of the pastors. The one thing that a lot of us licensed women have noticed, though, is that there really isn't any support for MALE pastors' spouses. They have a whole different set of needs as far as support in the ministry, and it would be nice - especially in our district, which has a high # of credentialed/licensed women - to have something in place for them.
(Other than the nightly online video game playing that my DH and a bunch of other A/G pastors and pastors' husbands engage in, lol!!)
That sounds like a great ministry for your dh to start! Why not? Somebody has to. Why not him?
Yes, I tell you - it angers me when people make these comparisons. For instance - it is sin to be homosexual - it is not a sin to be a woman, or of a different race. You are talking two completely different issues. I hate prejudice, I just hate it, hate it, hate it! I absolutely could not believe this person was comparing being a homosexual to being a woman in leadership. I was appalled! My dh just soothes me and says it's ignorance, but it's still hard. I don't run into this in my church, PTL, but when I run into it in ministerial circles it's hard. You know the funny thing, older men seem to be okay with it more than those in their 20's, 30's. It's funny how the younger generation are sometimes really prejudice on women in leadership and honestly I think it's because they haven't been exposed to it as much. Years ago when the pastors who are in their 60's and above were growing up and first entering ministry, women preachers abounded everywhere and were so common. Then, the whole change came and the baptist form of govt' came in, even to the A/G, and whammo, we have a whole paradigm shift and this is what some of the younger generation thinks is God's way of doing things. Too bad, so sad...
I never thought about it that way, but now that you mention it - when I go to District Council and pastors' meetings, it is the younger pastors (as in, recent college grads!) who assume that my DH is the children's pastor and I'm just his arm decoration! The older ones aren't nearly as likely to jump to conclusions.
Of course, we do have a dear old man in our church who, up until a few months ago, thought that my DH was the children's pastor and I was the church secretary . The position in our office has always been "secretary," and has always been done by a woman. So when DH took over the office and the position of "church administrator" was assigned to him, some of the people were a bit confused.
I'm with you, though - why does it matter who does what? It's a matter of who can do the job best, and who is called to do said job! I had a chauvinistic guy in my Biblical Justice class in college say, "Well, if I were in a burning building, I'd feel better if a male firefighter came to save me than a female!"
I looked at him and said, "I'd just want someone to come save me. Who cares who it is?" Same thing with pastors - people are dying and going to hell and they need Jesus. That's the bottom line. Whether the gospel is presented to them by a man or by a woman is irrelevant. They're not going to be denied access to heaven if a woman was the one who introduced them to Jesus...
Priscilla, you were right! The enemy just likes to sidetrack people with this issue to avoid the gospel being spread.
. Sad to say, when I watched it, it seemed way too natural - listening to the people talk, I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend or family member who still lives there (unsaved friend or family member, I should clarify!). They definitely curse and drink with gusto!!
Thanks for sharing and it does sound interesting! I think the movie that I told you about must have been rated R because of the sensitive topic also. They are reality checks.
At first, you "do it afraid!" The "woman question" just gets old! The enemy must laugh
