The Mask You Live In

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jensiebelnewsom/the-mask-you-live-in

From the director of Miss Representation - an exploration of American masculinity.

UPDATE: We surpassed our initial funding goal! Our new goal is 2,500 backers - spread the word!

Compared to girls, research shows that boys in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, fail out of school, binge drink, commit a violent crime, and/or take their own lives. 

Jennifer Siebel Newsom's new documentary film, The Mask You Live In, asks: As a society, how are we failing our boys? 

Why This Film Matters 

At a young age, boys learn that to express compassion or empathy is to show weakness. They hear confusing messages that force them to repress their emotions, establish hierarchies, and constantly prove their masculinity. They often feel compelled to abide by a rigid code of conduct that affects their relationships, narrows their definition of success and, in some cases, leads to acts of violence resulting in what many researchers call a “boy crisis.” Our society’s failure to recognize and care for the social and emotional well-being of our boys contributes to a nation of young men who navigate adversity and conflict with an incomplete emotional skill set. Whether boys and later men have chosen to resist or conform to this masculine norm, there is loneliness, anxiety, and pain. 

The Mask You Live In documentary will examine how gender stereotypes are interconnected with race, class, and circumstance, and how kids are further influenced by the education system, sports culture, and mass media- video games and pornography in particular. The film also highlights the importance of placing emphasis on the social and emotional needs of boys through healthy family communication, alternative teaching strategies, conscious media consumption, positive role modeling and innovative mentorship programs. 

Overall Goal 

To make a film that sparks a national conversation around masculinity and ultimately creates a more balanced, equitable society for all. 

The Mask You Live In film will target youth, families, caregivers, coaches, and mental health professionals. But we are confident the film will speak to the masses. 

Our previous film, Miss Representation, has proven that there is demand for this kind of storytelling. Further, we’ve seen the impact that documentary filmmaking, accompanied by social action campaigns, can have in shifting consciousness, changing behavior, and ultimately transforming culture. As a result, we are confident in our ability to do it again withThe Mask You Live In documentary.  But we need your help. 

Now that we've passed our original funding goal (in less than two weeks!), we want to seize the momentum and build a huge community of support around this film. We want 2,500 backers before the end of the campaign. Not only would additional funds improve the quality of our film, but it would mean 2,500 people dedicated to challenging limiting gender stereotypes. And 2,500 people committed to building a safe and more equal future for all of us.

We believe building this base of support would be an extraordinary step towards creating a truly national conversation around masculinity. Whether it results in $1 or $100, if each of us recruits just one more person we can make a huge difference! Spread the word.

What We Need to Make This Film

We are currently in production and will use your contributions to finish filming our vignettes and put together a rough cut edit of the film. From there, we will use remaining funds to design and incorporate motion picture graphics for the many statistics and illustrations you will see throughout the film. 

What Will the Film Look Like?

The 75 minute film will feature powerful interviews with popular thought leaders and celebrities as well as academics and experts in neuroscience, biology, psychology, anthropology, sociology, ethics, education, sports, media, and history. Shot in a style consistent with Miss Representation, these white backdrop interviews will anchor the film’s messaging while emotional vignettes showcase a wide range of life experiences and perspectives from boys and men who are struggling with different issues related to masculinity.