Queensland Police have been asked to investigate threats of violence after the screening date of men’s rights movie The Red Pill was revealed this week.
Since announcing their plans to hold a local screening of the anti-feminist feature length film on January 14, Men’s Rights Brisbane say they have received a number of threats, with on Twitter user saying they hoped “someone shoots up that event Batman movie premiere style — dead MRAs (men’s rights activists) — cool!”.
Men's Rights Brisbane spokesman Robert Brockway told the Herald Sun, “We don’t think it is a serious threat, but at the same time we thought we should alert police."
Screenings of the controversial film, which examines the men's rights movement in the US, were previously scheduled in Sydney and Melbourne last year but cancelled due to a large number of public complaints, petitions and protests.
While the film has been labelled as misogynistic propaganda by some, Men’s Rights Brisbane founder Bryan Scandrett says the film provides a balanced overview of the movement.
“What people will get from seeing this movie is more compassion for men and boys,” Scandrett says.
The worldwide movement group believe men are the disadvantaged sex and takes its name from a scene in the movie, The Matrix.
*Main image: The Red Pill's filmmaker, Cassie Jaye.
Top Comments
I watched the film yesterday. It was on topic, well filmed and thought provoking. There were a few disturbing scenes (including the short part on infant male circumcision which showed one such operation and the agony of the baby boy).
There was a Q&A held afterwards through Skype with Tom Golden and Paul Elam. One of the audience members who asked a question of Paul and Tom was a self-identifying feminist who was attending with her husband. Her questions were mostly related to the possible negative consequences to the MRM of having such a vocal anti-feminist (while pro-equality) position (I guess sort of like a you catch more flies with honey analogy).
She wasn't booed or jeered in any way. She asked the question respectfully, the audience treated her respectfully and Paul and Tom answered respectfully. I applaud her for her bravery to attend an event which she would have likely perceived as being unwelcoming to her and potentially hostile (not that it would have been, but perceptions matter to an individual).
Kudos to the organisers of the event, Men's Rights Brisbane for making sure everything ran smoothly and without incident.
While I imagine that most readers of this site aren't likely to be ready to "take the red pill" if they watched the movie, I still think it would be good for them to give it a watch if and when it comes out on Netflix if you're unable or unwilling to attend a public screening. At the very least you will have a better understanding of what the issues the MRM advocate for which might influence your own debates and talking points in future.
An anti-feminist feature length film, kicked off and produced by a card carrying feminist? Crikey Katy, have you watched the film?
It's not 'anti-feminist' at all. Jaye decided, as a film producer with an investigative mindset, to courageously immerse herself in the MRA leadership, actually meet with men (like Dr Warren Farrell) who've been demonised, and hear what they have to say.
She formed her own opinions from that AND interviewed feminists across the spectrum.
When we have respected women like Bettina Arndt and Jasmin Newman speaking up for men's rights locally (and Jasmin had to move towns to get away from feminist threats of violence!), I'm left wondering what vested interests are worried about a well-balanced film and why the vehemence to censor it?