Normalizing Zoophilia Through Entertainment (self.zoophilia)
submitted 2014-11-10 22:52:58 by [deleted]
Saw a conversation on BeastForum about zoo activism, and a couple people mentioned how plays and movies can subtly subvert people's species-centrism.
In particular, there was a movie called "Sleeping Dogs Lie" that they mentioned-- a romcom about a woman who must deal with her experimentation with bestiality as a college co-ed. The idea is that people accept it as a raunchy movie, and by doing so, let it "normalize". Over time, their opposition to zoophilia decreases.
Thoughts?
That sounds like the slow version of what I just saw, full blown zoo porn on facebook.
Wait-- you saw beast porn on FACEBOOK?! Just now?! How?!
Yep that's what the post I made was about.
I think that film is a fairly poor example, if we're looking for media that will lead to greater acceptance of zoophilia. The experience is played for laughs and gross-out value, and the general gist of the film is that "telling people she had done this ruined her relationship with her family and significant other, but luckily in the end she learns it's best to lie about it." It really does nothing to change societal views on zoophilia, both because there's no actual zoophilia in the movie, just an impulsive act of bestiality, and because it reinforces the concept that bestiality (and by extension zoophilia) is something to be ashamed of and kept hidden. It does about as much for improving the public image of zoophilia as Trainspotting did for the public image of heroin.
I wouldn't go that far. It's not ideal, no-- far from it. However, the character isn't exactly demonized. There's a silver lining there, isn't there?
The very fact that someone took on this topic without intense, universal persecution-- and, in fact, winning special distinction at the 2007 Maryland Film Festival-- gives me hope. It ain't much, but it's something.
I don't think you have to demonize a character to portray their actions as harmful. The film can be as nice as it wants to her, but at the end, what she did is still presented as a regrettable mistake, and she receives no sympathy from any other characters in relation to it. There are plenty of films that feature bestiality without condemning it (Clerks 2, one of the American Pie movies, Road Trip etc.), but almost all of them just use it as a source of comedy and/or gross-out, so it does nothing to really further discussion about the topic.
Just downloaded "sleeping dogs lie" haven't watched it yet.
"Equus" is my favourite play, but wouldn't call it pro-zoo either.
On the topic of plays, there aren't many on the topic, and what does exist is a bit disturbing.
Recently, a play called "Awkward Conversations with Animals I've Fucked" by Rob Hayes saw its release in the U.K. Sadly, it's as awkward as the title suggests, as the character Billy makes bad jokes and struggles through his daddy issues and general inability to deal with people. Also, the ending is heartbreaking (I won't spoil it, except to say that the final act/scene involves a bear).
The best dramatic portrayal of a zoo for my money is Martin, from "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia" by Edward Albee. Here we have a man who is successful both personally and professionally, discovering his love for a particular goat and taking an attitude of befuddlement at what people think is wrong with it. In this play, what screws up his life isn't so much the zoophilia as the reactions of his friends and family to it. This one is also a tragedy, though it's arguably who the tragic hero of the story really is.
One thing I'd like to see someday is a zoo story or play that turns out happily, which isn't a short smutfic. Maybe I'll write one myself someday, who knows?
I wouldn't say that opposition to zoophilia decreases. That's a bit of a misstatement. I'd say that as it's "normalized" only the reluctance to speak about it is decreased. However, debate on issues is how advancement is started, and in that sense, yes, wider exposure could help. However, just because it's being discussed does not mean that the outcome will be favorable. Ultimately it's a bit of a gambit. :/
I don't know if that leads to eventual acceptance. Because for that people need to move away from the defaults they accept instantly about sex with animals (or instantly make up to justify their disgust). It is different if it is a plot element in a movie, or if you just told someone: yes, I actually do that in real life.
However, I too noticed that zoophilia/bestiality is in much more short movies, and more often used as plot element in other TV series and movies. In particular, I think it now serves as the little dark, slimy not-sure-about-that joke that used to be taken up by homosexuality but nowadays that would be so yesterday to make a character make an accidental innuendo that he had gay-sex without realizing it while everyone else does (cue canned laughter). Nowadays that joke/sitcom character works with sheep (cue canned laughter).
Or the blatant displays for maximum joke/satire/uselessness, since our TV and pop culture has gone to the extremes (lesbian butt shacking of pop stars targeting 14 yo in their music videos) and doesn't know how to top itself any longer without outright sex acts displayed. So family guy and american dad have blatant bestiality mentions as "jokes". If that helps, idk. It moves the issue into focus and perhaps at least a few realize: ah well, we kill and eat them too, right? The majority probably has a laugh and doesn't change their defaults.
There was this one film... it's about a French (?) soldier that falls in love with a leopardess. Can't remember the name. I watched it a couple months ago, it gives an excellent representation of zoophilia in my opinion (the film is also critically acclaimed). The part where he smears himself with dirt and runs around naked is a bit odd, but it fits in fine with the movie if you'll watch it.
EDIT: Passion in the Desert is the name.