Sexy Inc. Our Children Under Influence 2007
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Patricia Bergeron
Directed by Sophie Bissonnette
DVD, color, 35 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Adolescence, Child Development, Education, Gender Studies, Media Studies, Parenting, Psychology, Sociology
Date Entered: 11/12/2008
Reviewed by Margaret M. Reed, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARSexy Inc. uncovers the surreptitious power the media and advertisers wield over society’s most vulnerable consumers – children.
Produced as part of the project “Countering Youth Hypersexualization: Tools for Prevention and Action,” the film presents shocking evidence from the entertainment and fashion industries. Excerpts from sexually explicit music videos and seductive children’s clothing illustrate how mature themes once considered marginal are now commonplace in the culture. Also quite telling is a youth workshop where participants are shown pairs of images and asked to distinguish teen publications from pornography.
Throughout the documentary, experts attest to the danger of overinvesting in image at the expense of cultivating identity. Psychologists, social workers, educators, and health care professionals make their case with an array of scientific and anecdotal evidence. They also offer realistic solutions for countering the ill effects of youth hypersexualization.
Sexy Inc. is a must-see for teachers, parents, and others who work with adolescents. It is also an excellent resource for psychology and sociology courses. Viewers will find the film’s written guide helpful in facilitating discussion.
In 2008, Sexy Inc. received the UNICEF Prize at the Japan Prize Contest.
Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.