Thanks David Ives (aleteia.org) for inspiring me to start a blog. As a newbie, please understand my underdeveloped profile--that will evolve with time. As for now, I just HAD to address David's review of THE RED TENT.
The two-part miniseries, which recently aired on Lifetime, (you can view repeats or watch it via On-Demand), was a great biblical-based production, especially for women (a rarity at that)! You call it a "dud", containing "nearly graphic sex scenes", and "not very deep." You also say it is "definitely not the next movie to share with your Bible study group." Guess what, David? That's exactly what I did.
I emailed every faith-filled woman I know, most, if not all, active Catholic, bible studying, intelligent, strong and beautiful women in every way. Why? Because The Red Tent represented real women (the ones I know anyway) better than any production I have seen in a long, long time. And, yes while it took liberty with Scripture as far as continuing the story of Dinah past her rape, it was obviously done with great thought and credit to women.
Which of course, and don't get me wrong, I'm not male-bashing here, had to come from a woman, as evidenced by the miniseries adaptation from Anita Diamant's popular book (of the same name). The story's main character especially, Dinah, is portrayed as wise, capable of great love, not afraid to stand up for what is right, just and good, strong, brave, giving and faithful. Attributes that many "real" woman have in common, not what popular movies and tv typically project. So much for calling it a "dud"!
What is described as "nearly graphic sex scenes" are nothing compared to what's shown today, even when non-animated as depicted in racy magazine ads. Rather, to me, the scenes were of a woman in the throes of genuine passion and romantic love. Not gratuitous sex. And, if you call devoting your life to your husband, child, friends and those less fortunate, as envisioned by the Red Tent, "not very deep" I would wonder--other than the obviously missing God--what deep means to you. BTW, although Dinah is not shown to worship God specifically, her actions could only be attributed to a woman of virtue.
So, I urge any woman (or man for that matter, if you want to see how women really can be minus the superficial playthings so wrongly exploited everywhere), to find the Red Tent and watch it or/and read the book. You won't be sorry. I promise!
Rebecca Ferguson as Dinah is incredibly AWESOME!
aleteia.orgb-moviecat.blogspot.com
Hi Mia, I'm glad I could help jump-start your desire to blog, it's always good to have more voices in the conversation. I'm sorry I didn't experience the same response to The Red Tent, but it just didn't work for me. Just to further explain one point. By calling the show "not very deep," I was commenting on the seeming lack of discussion about the position of women during Old Testament times, a theme I've been assured is all throughout the original novel. If that came across as denigrating the role of women in their families, that certainly wasn't the intention. Oh, and as for the "nearly graphic sex scenes," please try and understand Aleteia has a wide readership. Some readers don't appreciate any disrobing or depiction of simulated sex, so I have to give them a little heads up. I hope you keep up the blogging and I look forward to reading more. - David Ives
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