Film Matters: Please tell us about your article that is being published in Film Matters.
Vincent Bec: My article is “Women Still in Danger: A Look at Incel Rhetoric in the 1980 Slasher Film He Knows You’re Alone.” It is meant to be a discussion on how this film can be viewed through a rather extreme misogynistic lens to show how elements of this film’s plot came together, probably accidentally, in a way that gives it a narrative similar to rhetoric found in the incel community. It is not meant to suggest that watching the film is going to turn someone who isn’t a misogynist into a misogynist, rather it is meant to show how someone who is already deeply invested in misogynistic beliefs and communities could connect to the film in a way the standard viewer may not.
FM: What research and/or methodologies do you incorporate in your article?
VB: I started by anchoring my article to an influential piece of film criticism, the “Women in Danger” episode of Siskel and Ebert’s Sneak Previews. I then considered what past film research, and pop culture, has said about violence against women, and its connection to sex, in slasher films. Lastly, I read articles that contained direct quotes from members of the online incel community to learn how they express their views.
FM: Describe the original context for/when writing this article while an undergraduate student.
VB: I started this paper right after graduating with my undergraduate degrees. I did not realize until my very last semester of undergrad that I wanted to continue my education with grad school. Because of this late realization, I was concerned that I had not taken enough opportunities during my time in undergrad to show my skills as an academic on a grad school application. I voiced my desire to start working toward milestones such as being published by an academic journal to my past professor, Dr. Hart, and he directed me to Film Matters. I was excited to see that Film Matters accepted work from new graduates for up to a year after graduating. This paper came from wanting to grab on to this opportunity, while I was still eligible.
FM: How has your department and/or institution supported your work in film and media?
VB: The Women and Gender Studies Department at NC State has consistently been encouraging of students who want to use the teachings of gender scholars to analyze other disciplines. I was able to take film classes, such as Women and Film, to fulfill some of my women and gender studies requirements. I was also able to write about film for my capstone paper in the major.
FM: How has your faculty mentor fostered your advancement as a film scholar?
VB: Dr. Hart has helped me as a film scholar by being open to my discussions about film. Many points in my essays started as ideas I brought up in causal discussions about film. Having someone patient and open to talk casually to about film is an integral part of my writing process. One of the main things he helped with in this paper was pointing out where I needed more clarity in my arguments. It is not always easy for me to see the line between letting the reader draw their own conclusions and underexplaining a concept. He has helped me work on that weakness. He has also made me aware me of academic opportunities, such as Film Matters.
FM: How has the Film Matters editorial and publication process impacted the development/evolution of your article?
VB: This experience was my first time going through the peer review process. Getting perspective through feedback from readers helped me distinguish which of my arguments were compelling versus which ones were unnecessary. Gaining this knowledge helped me focus my energy, and space, on the important arguments. Submitting to Film Matters is also the first time I have been asked to choose my own photos for a film essay. This gave me important experience in determining which arguments are best enhanced with images.
FM: What audience do you hope to reach with your Film Matters article and/or what impact do you hope it has on the field of film studies?
VB: I want film lovers to realize it is still important to consider the effects of violence in media. The theory that media violence is the cause of real-world violence is considered by many to be an outdated idea. People can get very defensive when the violence in media they love is critiqued and analyzed. However, there is a medium ground between “violent media is bad” and “violent media has no effect.” I love He Knows You’re Alone, it is one of my favorite films. I have never been a violent misogynist, and watching this film over and over has never tempted me to suddenly become one. However, I believe the film has the potential to still have negative effects on the world when seen by someone who is already participating in violent views and communities. I really want to see a shift in focus from how films affect a standard audience in favor of more discussions on how films affect viewers who are a part of, potentially harmful, fringe communities.
FM: What are your future plans?
VB: I am currently working on my writing, and other academic opportunities, while preparing to apply to grad schools. I hope to eventually get a PhD in film studies. I’m planning to maintain my passion for an interdisciplinary viewpoint by first getting a master’s in gender studies. I discussed how Amy Holden Jones and Anna Biller interrupt the male gaze in their films The Slumber Party Massacre and The Love Witch at the Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture conference in November 2019.
Author Biography
Vincent Bec graduated from North Carolina State University with degrees in Psychology, Media Communication, and Gender Studies. They write about how gender and sexuality is represented in film for both academic and non-academic platforms, including the feminist film magazine Grim. Their main focus is on the analysis of horror films.
