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Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women

Name: Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women
Director: Margaret Lazarus
Released: 1987
Duration: 32 min

Representation Score

8.6/10

Excellent

1987

Director

Margaret Lazarus

Runtime

32 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary rigorously deconstructs how mass media constructs identity. Its primary strength lies in the sophisticated interrogation of gendered objectification and the systemic power of the advertising industry. By exposing how capitalism reinforces restrictive hierarchies, the film offers a profound critique of Western social norms. However, the work is specialized in its focus. While it addresses the psychological effects of beauty obsessions, it lacks explicit representation for LGBTQ+ communities and individuals with disabilities. The analysis of race remains secondary to the central gendered critique, limiting its multi-layered depth.

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Category Breakdown

Does Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't include explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or identities. However, it critiques straight-centered beauty standards and sexualization, which indirectly address narrow assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth ideals.

How does Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women portray gender?

Excellent

The narrative focuses on subverting traditional gender hierarchies. It critiques how advertising enforces submissive roles for women and challenges patriarchal dominance in consumerist imagery.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women?

Fair

The critique of idealized beauty standards touches upon the exclusion of diverse racial phenotypes. However, the film lacks specific evidence of multi-layered racial analysis.

How does Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film provides a significant critique of Western consumerist structures. It frames the advertising industry as a systemic force that profits from the dehumanization of individuals.

Does Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women include disability representation?

Fair

The documentary touches on the psychological impact of unrealistic beauty standards. It does not explicitly feature subjects with visible or invisible disabilities as central figures.

Present on Screen

Provides a sophisticated subversion of traditional gender hierarchies and patriarchal dominance.
Offers a powerful critique of how Western consumerism and capitalism dehumanize individuals.
Effectively deconstructs the visual language of power used in mass media advertising.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit focus on LGBTQ+ narratives or non-conforming identities.
Provides limited specific evidence regarding multi-layered racial and ethnic analysis.
Does not give central figures to subjects with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This follow-up to Jean Kilbourne's award-winning 1979 documentary, KILLING US SOFTLY, further probes the harmful effects of stereotypical and sexist images in advertising. Kilbourne conducts a lecture within the film, displaying still images of women, men, children, and violent crime via a slide projector. By emphasizing the dehumanization of women by television's body-image obsession, she teaches viewers how America is taught to categorize women primarily as sex objects.

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