Film promoting sexual assault to be screened on campus despite protests

Washington, Aug 26 (ANI): The film version of author Tucker Max's book 'I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell' will be screened at North Carolina State University today, despite Women's Center's protests against the movie.

Advocates who wanted the film screening to be cancelled had a meeting with Union Activities Board Film Committee Chair Will Lamb, and others in the UAB office on Monday.

They discussed the implications of the movie and the question and answer session with Max, which is scheduled to follow the movie.

Rape Prevention Education Coordinator Juliette Grimmett, who works at the Women's Center, said that they were notified of the film's campus screening three weeks ago.

But she said that the centre was not aware of how offensive the content of the film would be until a concerned student e-mailed her.

Grimmet had a meeting with Associate Director of Campus Activities Rick Gardner, in between meetings.

"It was on my radar but the way Rick [Gardner] said it and described it, it didn't seem to be a major red flag. It didnt even occur to me that there was anybody out there like [Max.]" Uwire quoted her as saying.

Both Grimmett and Women's Center Director Shannon Johnson said the weeks since the meeting were "busy," preventing them from following up more closely with Gardner or the Films Committee about the plans for the film.

"We became aware of the extremity of the offensiveness Thursday morning," said Johnson.

Johnson said that while they did not see the movie themselves, the postings on Max's blog and the trailer for the movie were enough for the Center to know that the movie would be offensive, Johnson said that the trailer contains sexist and racist phrases, which according to her were intended to dehumanise and perpetuate a rape culture.

According to Grimmett and Johnson, Max's book is filled mostly with stories of him and his exploits with women, some of which would be considered felonious acts under North Carolina law.

"He views women as objects. He's only out to get as much sex as he can at any cost," said Johnson.

The Technician reported that Chair of the Issues and Idea Board Matt Woodward filed for a permit, and planned to stage a protest during the film's showing.

And now, the Women's Center and other advocating groups have requested permits, and will be staging a silent protest on Harris Field during the showing of the film and a candlelight vigil to honour rape and sexual assault victims following the event.

"Since we couldn't cancel it we wanted to give [students] the opportunity to know first-hand what they're walking into. My fear was that you'll have students that go to this even if they think they know the extent [of the offensiveness] and realize that he's talking about acts that mean the definition of rape. We want them to know that there's a community at N.C. State that doesn't support this person and what he does," said Grimmett.

The Women's Center has also asked students, who leave the film because of its offensive content, to have their money refunded.

The Center also asked for the 400 dollars UAB will make from hosting the film to be donated to an area sexual assault victim advocacy group.

The group said that it is still hammering out the details of such a donation, but said that there was a "pretty good chance" it would happen.

Grimmett said that the protest was mostly about Max, and what he represents.

"We are absolutely there to protest Tucker Max-the fact he's been brought to campus. We're protesting everything about Tucker Max and what he stands for," said Grimmett. (ANI)