Women and Men Unglued. Katherine Gilday. (Writer & Director). Germaine Ying Gee Wong. (Producer). Montreal, PQ: National Film Board of Canada, 2003. 86 min., VHS, $99.95. Order Number: C9103 076. Grades 10 and up / Ages 15 and up. Review by Denise Weir. **** /4

Women and Men Unglued explores the changing social mores of sexual relationships in a post-feminist liberation world. Based on interviews with males and females of various socio-economic status, the video exposes viewers to the conflicting emotions and uncertainty that young adults face as they try to determine the appropriate roles related to their gender and society.

     Males, in particular, are portrayed as being uncertain about their roles or female expectations about them. Women, on the other hand, feel isolated from men by their professional roles and by the women's liberation movement that installed a new set of rules for women while negating the traditional nurturing roles.

     By juxtaposing traditional social mores and marital roles with the murky uncertainty of the present social mores, the producers accentuated the confusion felt by young males and, sometimes, females of marrying age.

     The film may be the basis for discussion on the purpose of dating and marriage in the modern world. Is the modern marriage based more in feelings that in a contract, as suggested in the film? What do young women and men want from a relationship? What was positive and negative about the women's liberation movement?

     Young adults struggling to establish themselves in the "real world" might explore such questions. Ultimately, their view will form the mores and laws of the future. Mature viewers of all ages will enjoy this thought-provoking documentary.

Highly Recommended.

Denise Weir is a consultant with Manitoba Culture Heritage and Tourism, Public Library
Services, in Brandon, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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