Wet Dreams and False Images

Media manipulation and body image
by
Year Released
2004
Film Length(s)
17 mins
Closed captioning available
Remote video URL

Introduction

Part 1 of BODY TYPED

How do perfected images of female beauty effect how men see real women? And, how we see ourselves?

(Not available for individual purchase. Purchase prices are for the 3-film set BODY TYPED.)

Featured review

Epstein's quirky, quietly radical film shows consciousnesses being raised right on camera, as Dee Dee learns that "my man had a lot of wet dreams, to a lot of false images". A riveting examination of how retouching has enforced an utterly unrealizable standard of female beauty, even at street level.
THE GUARDIAN
THE GUARDIAN

Synopsis

Dee-Dee, a Brooklyn barber covers his wall with magazine pin-ups of women. He wishes that real women could look more like the images on "his wall of beauty." However, when Dee-Dee is introduced to the art of photo-retouching, his perceptions of beauty are called into question. WET DREAMS AND FALSE IMAGES is a Sundance award-winning documentary film, that uses humor to raise serious concerns about the marketplace of commercial illusion and unrealizable standards of physical perfection. The goal of this film is to start discussions about body image issues.

Key Areas: Body Image Films, Media Literacy, Gender Studies, Women's Studies, Educational Films

"This film makes the study of society and the media relevant to students by speaking to their everyday experiences and inspires them to speak as well -- guaranteed to spark lively classroom conversations." Astra Taylor, Dept. of Sociology SUNY New Paltz

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THE BODY TYPED DVD includes all 3 short films on physical perfection:

- WET DREAMS AND FALSE IMAGES (12 Min.)

- THE GUARANTEE (11 Min.)

- 34x25x36 (8 Min.)

and DVD extras including the NY Times Video Op-Ed "Sex, Lies and Photoshop"

Awards and Screenings

Sundance Film Festival Jury Award
Luna Fest
Rooftop Films -- Best of Summer Season
Best Comedy Short - Iron Mule Film Festival
ALA/ Yalsa Award -- Top Video for Young Adults

Features and Languages

Film Features

  • Closed Captioning
  • DVD Extras

Promotional Material

Promotional Stills

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