This came through the ARLIS-L listserv and is a legit research project.
Thought you might like to respond?
At 11:42 AM 7/16/98 -0500, you wrote:
> DIRECT ALL RESPONSES TO
> [log in to unmask]
> Subject: on-screen nude
>
>I am a film studies instructor who recently began offering a
>course entitled "Controversial Cinema." A recurring source of
>controversy that both I and my students brought up involved
>the disparities that exist when the male and female bodies are
>displayed in love scenes in contemporary films. I am visiting
>this Art Librarians list in search of discerning people versed
>in the history of the artistic display of the body, who would be
>willing to answer eight research questions on a topic that might
>make you blush. My intention is not to shock anyone, but to
>gather comments from individuals who are likely to enjoy
>watching films and talking about them. I do not wish to create
>an unrelated thread on this list; rather anyone who chooses to
>respond to the questions below should email me directly.
>
>My research involves erotic imagery in mainstream motion
>pictures. In particular, I am trying to understand what I
>call the "invisible penis" phenomenon. Films have been
>depicting full female nudity at least since Hedy Lamarr's
>appearance in ECSTASY (1933), but in the 1990s the sight
>of male frontal nudity is still a rarity on screen. In an
>effort to better understand our cultural taboos, as well as
>similarities and differences between what men and women
>want to see (and what they want to remain unseen), I ask the
>following...
>
>1. Have you ever felt uncomfortable viewing a movie with a
> date because of the way nudity was handled in a
> particular scene? If so, please describe the causes
> of the discomfort.
>
>2. What, if any, general types of images in motion pictures
> do you find erotic?
>
>3. How do you think your perception of the erotic image
> differs from what members of the opposite sex find
> erotic?
>
>4. Describe what you would call "tasteful female nudity,"
> and then "tasteful male nudity."
>
>5. Do you recall the first time you saw a man's penis in
> a mainstream movie (any film other than an "adult
> video") and if so, do you remember what you thought
> and felt at the time?
>
>6. Have you ever seen an uncircumcised penis in a
> mainstream film?
>
>7. Do you think your own feelings about seeing nudity
> on the screen have evolved as you've gotten older
> or more educated? How?
>
>8. Please indicate whether you are ____female ____male
>
>Thanks in advance to those of you who take the time to
>answer the questions. Please direct your responses to
>my email address.
>
>Brad Chisholm, Associate Professor
>Department of Theatre & Film Studies
>St. Cloud State University
>St. Cloud, MN 56301
>320/ 255-3228
>
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