Rape culture is hard to talk about. That’s why so many people avoid the topic at all costs. They don’t want to say the wrong thing. But oftentimes, when it is covered in the media or talked about widely in society it is because a powerful man has been accused of sexual violence. The latest of that is Harvey Weinstein. And instead of ignoring the topic to focus on lighter comedy, the SNL cast took it on for their show this past week.
The SNL cast talked about rape culture, sexism in Hollywood, how so many men are complicit in this violence, and how this impacts women and femmes outside of Hollywood. This is a societal problem, not just for famous actresses.
They staged a New York Film Festival panel featuring Marion Cotillard (Cecily Strong), Viola Davis (Leslie Jones) and Kate McKinnon’s fictional aging actress Debette Goldry. Moderator Aidy Bryant asks the women if there’s some sort of “whisper system” practiced by women in Hollywood to warn one another of sexual predators. Yes, Goldry says: “The code was he raped me. That way, if any men were listening they’d tune us right out.” McKinnon strays from her character’s tone as Goldry and closes the skit on a serious note. “Violence against women doesn’t just happen to famous actress, it’s everywhere, damn it,” she says. “It’s about time we take it seriously. Pandora’s Box is open now, and Pandora is pissed.”
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