Revisiting The Illusionists – 8 years after its release

Note: this post originally appeared on my blog on May 24th, 2024. I am republishing it here to test Fediverse federation. Hello @_elena@mastodon.social My documentary The Illusionists was released on November 16,...

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What we should talk about when discussing Instagram and Body Image

The past two months have seen a flurry of negative articles about Instagram and how it negatively affects the body image of girls. Yet, most of them had superficial takes. Here are 3 points, addressing what we should talk about when discussing Instagram and body image.

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#FreeToBeUs with Shea Emry – a collaboration with Canadian non-profit Free To Be Talks

#FreeToBeUs is a documentary short that discusses how images of idealized male bodies are impacting boys' self-esteem and self-image.

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Cross-post: I’m a Realist because…

A recent public screening of  The Illusionists gave me the opportunity to discuss my new film project – The Realists  – which is its sequel.

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Attention Shoppers!

We often talk about unhealthy eating habits, environmental pollution, but we rarely discuss the ways mass media, apps, and social networking sites are hijacking our attention and ultimately making us feel more anxious.

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Guest Post: “I Haven’t Shaved My Legs For 10 Months”

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Press Release: VHX Launches Direct Distribution of the critically-acclaimed documentary THE ILLUSIONISTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Elena Rossini Email: hello@theillusionists.org   THE ILLUSIONISTS, a critically acclaimed documentary about the marketing of unattainable beauty ideals around the world, is making its debut on...

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Comment on Body Shaming in France: Miley Cyrus Called “Fat” by a French Newspaper by Jazmin

In reply to <a href="https://theillusionists.org/2011/02/body-shaming-in-france-miley-cyrus-called-fat-by-a-french-newspaper/#comment-895">Anna</a>. Uh clearly the guy was just trying to chat you up. Not a great line, though.

Comment on Beauty Is The Beast by mariam jabeen

According to Ambrose Bierce, women are always conscious about their beauty that they spent much economy on beauty industry, assumed by various analysis in 1970-1992.It is difficult to define beauty as it is the result of judgments of others. Beauty is an ideal (Freedom 1986), as ideal changes by time so it is impossible for women to achieve it. Chinese developed various practices, which ended in 20th century, to change natural state of body. Similarly in Europe, Queen Catherine of France introduced waist binding technique in 16th century but the fashion changed in 17th century. In 19th century, women faced many diseases, including miscarriages, due to tightly laced clothing. In 20th century, women tried a lot to look youthful. Value of beauty depends on how much spent on it, physically, temporally, economically and psychologically. Physically women spent a lot and waste time but bear pains and even die of toxic cosmetics. Psychologically women remain unhappy due to their fat bodies even after so much diet that caused anorexia nervosa and bulimia in majority of women in 1970’s. Another practice, for losing weight, by women is exercise, which is spreading widely. Beauty ideals are socially created that lead to class and racial distinction. Inability of meeting beauty standards contribute to the depression among women. Attractive people get more opportunities and unattractive people are rejected. Society treats men and women differently in the beauty standards and women face much rejection than men. Women should try to understand the reality of beauty.

Comment on The Problem with Dove by cherryhead

Even if you take the Dove campaign as a standalone, it's still perpetuating the idea that a woman's primary purpose is decorative and that any other characteristics come second to that.

Comment on The Problem with Dove by Mohamedilyas Kapadia

As much as the article talks of the abhorrent objectification of women, please may I add my two-penneth. Fair and Lovely is constantly advertised on TV in India, I have just returned from India 7 days ago. All the actors are pale and the models used in advertising aren't even Indian half of the time, but of caucasian descent; whether it is for "fair and lovely" or when trying to sell air-conditioning units . It is a throw back from colonial times and the inherited (read: forced) self-hatred of their natural skin colour. It is a shame, but now still very prevalent amongst the middle and upper classes, they look down upon darker skinned Indians. It is not a religious, Hinduism, class thing; it is out-and-out internal racism, differentiated not by colour, but by shade! I see it as nothing but an extension or continuation of the racist mindset impregnated by the slave masters of old. Perfectly captured in the afrobeat tune "Fallacy" where the lyrics refer to how the invaders, colonisers and missionaries of the African continent justified violence, genocide and slavery by stating the dark skinned person had a lesser intellect and was therefore worth less. Indeed the native Aborigine was referred to as "Fauna and Flora", not even as a human being. So when that thought process is then deeply ingrained and programmed into the natives after years of colonisation, it is a hard thing to recover from. And it is only perpetuated by the existence of overtly race-based advertising and products. Kxx

Comment on The Problem with Dove by Mohamedilyas Kapadia

As much as the article also talks of the abhorrent objectification of women, please may I add my two-penneth, as a man. Fair and Lovely is constantly advertised on TV in India, I just returned from India 7 days ago. All the actors are pale and the models used in advertising aren't even Indian half of the time, whether it is for "fair and lovely" or when trying to sell air-conditioning units . It is a throw back from colonial times and the inherited (read: forced) self-hatred of their natural skin colour. It is a shame, but now still very prevalent amongst the middle and upper classes, they look down upon darker skinned Indians. It is not a religious, Hinduism, class thing; it is out-and-out internal racism, differentiated not by colour, but by shade! I see it as nothing but an extension or continuation of the racist mindset impregnated by the slave masters of old. Perfectly captured in the afrobeat tune "Fallacy" where the lyrics refer to how the invaders, colonisers and missionaries of the African continent justified violence, genocide and slavery by saying the dark skinned person had a lesser intellect and was therefore worth less. Indeed the native Aborigine was referred to as "Fauna and Flora", not even as a human being. So when that thought process is then deeply ingrained and programmed into the natives after years of colonisation, it is a hard thing to recover from. And it is only perpetuated by the existence of overtly race -based advertising and products. Kxx

Exclusive Sneak Preview of The Illusionists !

I am thrilled to announce that the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt – the main sponsor of our film – will be hosting the first public sneak preview...

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Comment on The Problem with Dove by Mercy Bright

In reply to <a href="https://theillusionists.org/2013/04/the-problem-with-dove/#comment-7101">Mily Idol</a>. No Laura's absolutely right. Here in Canada to be pale skin equals unhealthy "not getting out enough"

Comment on The Problem with Dove by Mercy Bright

None of this has anything to do with the effectiveness of the actual product that being Dove beauty bar. Honestly, there are marketing schemes out there that are much more offensive than anything Dove has said or done. Keep perspective folks there's nothing wrong with Dove, if Unilever wants to capitalize on "conflicting" products (such as Ben & Jerry's versus slim fast) what does that have to do with the EFFECTIVENESS OF DOVE SOAP.? Say it with me: NOTHING. Some feminist bitch decided to bash dove beauty bar based on the parent company's practices, and ignore the actual efficacy of the product DOVE SOAP. at this juncture, let me disabuse you of the notion that I'm a man or beaten down housewife who is barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I'm for women's rights/equality blah blah blah with this nonsense is over the top. Besides, feminism is a rather jaded, myopic view of the world. Why don't you talk about Redken, Dermalogica or Aveda? Their practices to make their products and the negative effects these companies have on developing countries is much worse than the "real beauty" campaign. Google it. Sweatshops turn out a hell of a lot more than textiles, folks. If you, as a female and a reader are so gullible that you fall for the "real beauty" shit that Unilever has made around dove soap then you're a dummy.

Comment on The Problem with Dove by Digestive Pyrotechnics

Dove's ads are a little silly, here's an example of one of such ads: http://digestivepyrotechnics.blogspot.com/2014/12/alternate-ending-dove-body-wash-ad.html