THE AMERICAN VIRGIN is the new feature-length
documentary by Therese Shechter, director of the
award-winning and provocative
I WAS A TEENAGE FEMINIST.
This work-in-progress picks up where the previous film
leaves off: with Margaret Sanger's quote "No woman can
call herself free who does not own and control her body."
Doing for virginity what her previous film did for feminism,
Therese asks: What is virginity? Who gets to define it?
Why do we care so much about it? Does it even exist?
The film connects the dots between the Christian
abstinence-till marriage movement, coming-of-age films,
fathers-of-the-bride, the booming field of hymen restoration
surgery, the ironic fantasy of 'virgin' porn, and the biblical
stories of Eve and Mary.
Linked together by Therese's distinctive sense of humor,
interviews with experts and everyday Americans, and a
kaleidoscope of pop culture moments, the film challenges
attitudes towards virginity and female sexuality.
Spiritual, titillating, amusing, profitable, ruled by myths,
dogma and misconceptions, female virginity is something our
culture cares deeply about. The word virginity may conjure up
memories of young love or perhaps raging hormones, but it has
meaning far beyond a teenage diary entry.
Take our Rhetorical Virginity Quiz
1. Virginity plays its most vital role as:
a) the cornerstone of modern civilization
b) a marketing tool for pop stars
c) the only thing you can discuss in
abstinence-only sex-ed class
d) ideology, myth and tradition
e) something to restore with plastic surgery
f) a staple of teen sex comedies
g) a time-tested way to keep the gals in line
2. Over the last 10 years, the US
government has spent a billion dollars telling kids not to have sex. How's that working for you?
3. Slut vs Stud.Discuss.
This film is fiscally sponsored by Women Make Movies.
