Letting young boys and girls speak for themselves, Sophie Bissonnette continues the consciousness-raising work she began in her earlier film, Sexy Inc. Our Children Under Influence, which dealt with the harmful effects that sexist and sexualized images have on children and young people. Viewing this new educational documentary with a group of 10- to 14-year-olds should spark a lively debate. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada in conjunction with the YWCA Montreal.

Advertising in the guise of entertainment is now targeting preadolescents, who are at an especially vulnerable age, bombarding them with sexual stereotypes in the hopes of selling them all kinds of consumer goods. Taking a good hard look at the mass media and advertising, girls and boys talk about the adverse effects of such stereotypes on their own lives. While Sexy Inc.: Our Children Under Influence was intended for adults and Grade 10 and 11 students, Staying Real: Teens Confront Sexual Stereotypes is designed to lay the foundations for a discussion between teachers and pupils in grades 6 to 9, and between parents and their children.

Produced by the NFB’s Marc Bertrand in conjunction with the Leadership department at the Montreal YWCA, and with the financial support of the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine [Quebec department of culture, communications and the status of women], Staying Real: Teens Confront Sexual Stereotypes has a running time of 25 minutes.

To order the DVD: www.nfb.ca/store

Study Guide available soon: www.nfb.ca/education/guides

Parents, teens and preteens, teachers and other educational professionals are welcome to the following screening:
Monday, November 8, at 7:00 pm
NFB Cinema, 1564 St. Denis Street (at De Maisonneuve Boulevard)
The 25 minutes screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, a YWCA representative and one or more of the teens and preteens featured in the film.
First come, first served.
Free.

Watch the trailer: