THE FALL OF WOMENLAND
Price: $310.00 Code: 2364 |
Directed by Xiaodan He
2009, 46 minutes
Purchase: $310 | Classroom Rental: $125
The Fall of Womenland is a fascinating documentary on the unique sexual culture of the Mosuo people — a small minority situated in the southwest of China — and one of the last remaining matriarchal societies in the world.
Without a formal marriage contract, the Mosuo traditionally build relationships based on free love and sexual satisfaction (‘walking marriages'). But can the sexual liberty and power of the Mosuo women survive as modern Chinese society slowly encroaches their ancestral land?
The film explores the present reality for the Mosuo people as well as the dangers that threaten their inherited way of life.
“Ultimately, the movie does not appear to be a call to action or an indictment of Westernization but, rather, a solemn requiem for a culture soon to disappear forever. As the narrator so beautifully states, the evaporation of the Mosuo is 'like a big fish that eats a smaller one - as simple as that. Today, all minorities in China are being assimilated.' At its core, The Fall of Womenland is as much a case study of cultural imperialism and ethnocentrism as it is an account of Mosuo tradition. A useful tool in a variety of academic settings – ranging from anthropology to women’s studies,” - Counterpoise
"The Fall of Womenland is a fascinating documentary that takes the relatively large field of films about the Mosuo people of China in a somewhat different direction than one might expect. It is best suited for high school and college students in courses exploring gender roles, ethnicity, and the politics of representation." - Asian Education Media Service
2009, 46 minutes
Purchase: $310 | Classroom Rental: $125
The Fall of Womenland is a fascinating documentary on the unique sexual culture of the Mosuo people — a small minority situated in the southwest of China — and one of the last remaining matriarchal societies in the world.
Without a formal marriage contract, the Mosuo traditionally build relationships based on free love and sexual satisfaction (‘walking marriages'). But can the sexual liberty and power of the Mosuo women survive as modern Chinese society slowly encroaches their ancestral land?
The film explores the present reality for the Mosuo people as well as the dangers that threaten their inherited way of life.
Subjects & Collections
Anthropology Asian Studies Women's Studies Human Sexuality Cultural Studies Sociology 2010 Directed by Women
Reviews
“A lovely and important film, challenging a number of stereotypes while sounding the standard warning about the perils of globalization—or even regionalization or ‘colonialism’ in this case… The Fall of Womenland is easy to watch and would have a mind-expanding effect on academic and popular audiences alike, and it is a valuable contribution to the unfolding history of this group and its unique social and sexual attitudes and institutions… An excellent film.” - Anthropology Review Database“Ultimately, the movie does not appear to be a call to action or an indictment of Westernization but, rather, a solemn requiem for a culture soon to disappear forever. As the narrator so beautifully states, the evaporation of the Mosuo is 'like a big fish that eats a smaller one - as simple as that. Today, all minorities in China are being assimilated.' At its core, The Fall of Womenland is as much a case study of cultural imperialism and ethnocentrism as it is an account of Mosuo tradition. A useful tool in a variety of academic settings – ranging from anthropology to women’s studies,” - Counterpoise
"The Fall of Womenland is a fascinating documentary that takes the relatively large field of films about the Mosuo people of China in a somewhat different direction than one might expect. It is best suited for high school and college students in courses exploring gender roles, ethnicity, and the politics of representation." - Asian Education Media Service