In Marxist theory, commodity fetishism is a state of social relations, said to arise in complex capitalist market systems, in which social relationships are defined by the values that are placed on commodities. The term is introduced in the opening chapter of Karl Marx’s main work of political economy, Capital, of 1867. - Wikipedia
This colorful one-sheet has a special significance to me, in that I actually saw this film early 2005 (Rialto Pictures re-release) with a girl that I had particularly strong feelings for. Unfortunately, this movie signaled the beginning of a long year of failed romantic attempts with both her and several other women. Somebody once said that romance is all in the timing . . . well, 참 시원섭섭하다.
The both of us (21 years of age @ the time) were virgins to Godard’s cinema, and honestly, it was quite surreal being with her while watching his tribute to 60’s youth culture. The conceit that I found most interesting was the conflict in a young man’s desire to be with a woman, yet his equally strong desire to reject/change the material world in which women occupy and value.
The Continual Process of Being Humbled is a dynamic that I saw glibly, yet accurately represented in Masculin Feminin. It is through the eyes of women that men are constantly humbled, realizing that we are little more than vehicles of an idealized commodity, objects that could be easily traded upon and upgraded.
Any young male with a significant ego and an active intellect may find dating in the modern world quite harsh (both in this day and Godard’s). Compare this with the ego satisfaction that such men can find in pursuing social change, either actively or imaginatively:
“The idea that I, as an individual, have the ability to change the world.”
(The underlying psychological anchor that drives the male appeal of video games, comic books, anime/movies and sports.)
One can easily see how some men, despite their more primal desires, secretly wish to escape the world of women (a sort of communal death) and seek to live in a more, ironically, nuturing world of perfected ideals. (Fight Club, moreso the film than the book, perfectly illustrates this.)
Keiko Kimura’s work, as seen above, harks back to a time when gender roles weren’t as nebulous as they currently exist today. Is it possible that even some women yearn for previous times when social forms were more formalized and regulated? Possibly . . . but I doubt few ever dare speak out of fear of losing such freedom.
The Masculin Feminin one sheet can be purchased for $60 from Posteritati Movie Posters.
Keiko Kimura’s Official Website
Masculin Feminin High-Res Quicktime Trailer
