Jody Clay-Warner - Confronting Rape and Sexual Assault

The Accused (1988; 110 minutes) Feature Film

Compelling drama about the gang rape of a young woman and the trial of her assailants, inspired by a real-life case. The victim, in a powerful performance by Jodie Foster, challenges an indifferent legal system and social stereotypes of rape in her pursuit of justice.

The Color Purple (1985; 125 minutes) Feature Film

This Stephen Spielberg film, based on Alice Walkers Pulitzer Prizewinning book, focuses on the life and struggles of a courageous black woman in the South who suffers rape at the hands of her stepfather and her husband.

The Confrontation: Latinas Fight Back against Rape (1983; 37 minutes)

Women Make Movies, Inc., Sales and Rentals Department, 462 Broadway, Suite 500 C, New York, NY 10013 (212) 925-0606

One controversial response to rape is confronting the rapist in a public place. In this docudrama, Marta and a group of friends and counselors decide to take this approach after Marta is raped on the way home from a party.

Dating Rites: Gang Rape on Campus (1993; 28 minutes)

Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016 (212) 8084980

In this documentary Meg Davis, a survivor of gang rape, discusses her assault, which took place eight years ago, and explains why it still affects her life. Next, a convicted rapist is interviewed, providing insights into the mind of the perpetrator. This film also includes a reenactment of a gang rape.

Dreamworlds (1995; 55 minutes)

The Media Education Foundation, 26 Center Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (800) 659-6882

One of the most pervasive forms of popular culture today is the music video. This film examines the representation of women in music videos and how these images affect both how men think about women sexually as well as how women think about themselves. Finding Out: Date Rape (1990; 30 minutes)

The National Center for Drug Abuse, Violence, and Recovery, P.O. Box 9, 102 HWY 81 N., Calhoun, KY 42327-0009 (800) 962-6662

Recommended by the producers for freshman orientation sessions, this film demonstrates to students why date rape is prevalent on many college campuses as well as advises them on reducing at-risk behavior. The producers note that the film contains adult language and that an edited version is available. Five Out of Five (1987; 7 minutes)

Women Make Movies, Inc., Sales and Rentals Department, 462 Broadway, Suite 500 C, New York, NY 10013 (212) 925-0606

Featuring New York Women Against Rapes Acting Out Teen Theatre, this short rap rock video examines child and teen sexual abuse. In this accessible video, teens talk about sex-role stereotypes and abuses of power as well as their own experiences with sexual assault.

Four Men Speak Out (1991; 28 minutes)

The National Center for Drug Abuse, Violence, and Recovery, P.O. Box 9, 102 HWY 81 N., Calhoun, KY 42327-0009 (800) 962-6662

Recognizing that sexual violence also affects males, this film explores the experiences of four men who survived sexual assault. The film examines the long and short-term effects of the abuse as well as recovery strategies.

From Victim to Survivor (1989; 29 minutes)

Produced by the Boulder County Rape Crisis Team.

Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016 (212) 8084980

Physical survival is only the first step in recovering from rape. This film follows the survival story of two women and one man who share their experiences of emotional healing.

Home Avenue (1989; 17 minutes)

Women Make Movies, Inc., Sales and Rentals Department, 462 Broadway, Suite 500 C, New York, NY 10013 (212) 925-0606

Jennifer Montgomery retells her own personal story of rape through the lens of a Super 8 camera. She retraces the events that occurred nine years ago when she was raped at gunpoint while traveling from her boyfriends dorm to her parents house. She also explores the reactions she received from her family and from the criminal justice system.

Men, Sex, and Rape (1992; 50 minutes)

The National Center for Drug Abuse, Violence, and Recovery, P.O. Box 9, 102 HWY 81 N., Calhoun, KY 42327-0009 (800) 962-6662

Host Peter Jennings raises questions about men and rape, such as where does the idea of rape begin and what are the differences between what we all agree is rape and what some believe is normal behavior.

No Visible Bruises: The Katie Koestner Story

The National Center for Drug Abuse, Violence, and Recovery, P.O. Box 9, 102 HWY 81 N., Calhoun, KY 42327-0009 (800) 962-6662

As a college freshman, Katie accused a fellow student of rape. By examining Katies story, this film confronts the issue of acquaintance rape on college campuses.

Open Letter: Grasp the Birds Tail (1992; 16 minutes)

Women Make Movies, Inc., Sales and Rentals Department, 462 Broadway, Suite 500 C, New York, NY 10013 (212) 925-0606

This poignant film by Brenda Joy Lem examines the implications of rape in a racist society. Using the metaphor of a contortionist trapped in a box, Sylvester (played by Lem) writes a letter to her new lover explaining that while she cares for him, she also feels vulnerable due to her experiences of sexual and racial violence.

Rape: An Act of Hate (1986; 30 minutes)

Films for the Humanities and Sciences, P.O. Box 2053, Princeton, NJ 08543-2053 (800) 257-5126

Hosted by Veronica Hamel, this film examines why rape occurs and offers advice to help women protect themselves from rape. By interviewing experts in the field and dispelling rape myths, the program shows that rape is ultimately an act of violence.

Rape: Face to Face (1985; 55 minutes)

Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016 (212) 8084980

This documentary explores the trauma of rape and examines its causes and consequences. In a confrontation between rapists and victims of rape (though not by these particular men), the rape survivors reveal the depth of their emotional scars. The men, who are in therapy at the Washington State Hospital, seem surprised at the emotional wounds that the women experienced.

Rape and DNA Testing (28 minutes)

Films for the Humanities and Sciences, P.O. Box 2053, Princeton, NJ 08543-2053 (800) 257-5126

In this specially adapted Phil Donahue segment, experts examine the usefulness of DNA testing in rape cases.