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This is a documentary that delves into the disappearance of Shere Hite, a pioneering sex researcher and feminist icon in the 20th century. Despite her fame and impact with her book The Hite Report, which revealed that 70% of women do not orgasm from penetrative sex, Hite’s presence in feminist circles vanished. The film examines the possible reasons for her disappearance and the impact of her work on female sexuality.
Hite was a PhD student who also worked as a model to support herself. She joined New York’s feminist movement and was motivated to do so after appearing in a sexist typewriter advertisement that belittled women. The documentary includes historical footage that captures the passion and revolutionary nature of feminism in the 1970s. Director Nicole Newnham conducts insightful interviews with activists, academics, and psychologists who were familiar with Hite. The film also features Hite herself through archived footage, showcasing her captivating presence and intelligence. Actress Dakota Johnson gives a powerful reading of Hite’s diary entries.
The Hite Report ignited a strong reaction in women who had long carried feelings of shame and inferiority about their sexuality. Some men saw it as a threat and accused Hite of harboring anti-male sentiments (to them, the book’s main point was: women can do without men). Making an appearance on a talk show with Hite is David Hasselhoff, who chuckles like a mischievous boy and claims he has never received any criticism about traditional sexual intercourse. Hite raises an eyebrow, finding it amusing. Sure, Hasselhoff.
Hite faced criticism for her previous appearance in Playboy as a model and her research methods were questioned. Unfortunately, there is no mention of whether these criticisms were justified. The backlash intensified in the 1980s, coinciding with the emergence of the religious conservative movement. In one clip from The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hite is seen speaking to an all-male audience and the hostility towards her is difficult to watch. She eventually left the United States and lived in Europe as a result, eventually settling in London. She passed away in 2020.
This movie is truly captivating and highlights the life of an incredible woman. The cinematography is also stunning. Hite had a passion for working with photographers and recognized the impact of visual images. Her collaborative portraits with German photographer Iris Brosch are remarkable. Hite is portrayed in water, reminiscent of the beautiful pre-Raphaelite painting “Ophelia” by Millais, but she is not portrayed as a victim. Instead, she is depicted as a strong and confident woman, holding a pen instead of flowers and looking directly at the camera. If this documentary does not bring Hite’s name into the mainstream among a new generation of feminists, the future biopic will surely do so.
Source: theguardian.com
