Filmmaker Liza Figueroa Kravinsky is uniquely qualified to discuss the reaction to Gov. Sarah Palin being selected as the Republican party’s vice presidential nominee.
She’s the creator of “Beauty: In the Eyes of the Beheld,” a new documentary which explores the connection between a woman’s appearance and her place in society.
Kravinsky checked in with WWTW today to share her thoughts on her film – and the political topic du jour.
WWTW: Why did you decide to shoot a documentary on this subject?
LFK: Growing up, I heard legendary stories of how beautiful my grandmother was. They were incredible stories. For example, one of the most famous and historical artists in the Philippines made a sculpture of her because she was beautiful. It will be on display at a museum there soon. So one day I asked her, “What was it like to be so beautiful?”
She replied, “When you’re the one, you don’t think you’re so pretty.”
Years later, I decided to make a film about this question, whose answer wasn’t as obvious as I thought it would be.
WWTW: What were some of the most surprising comments you heard while shooting your film?
LFK: I heard that there are disadvantages as well as advantages to being beautiful – like being stereotyped as dumb and superficial; and having trouble with careers as a result. Yes, they may get in the door because of their looks, but promotions and might be a problem at a certain level. Relationships can be a problem. I was also surprised at how insecure some of the women are about their appearance – even the beauty pageant queens.
WWTW: How did making the film change your thoughts on women and their appearance?
LFK: I learned that being beautiful is not all that it’s cracked up to be. That is an important message to all girls and women, especially the ones who do dangerous things to be “beautiful.” I also discovered that the definition of beauty in real life is different from the definition portrayed by the beauty and fashion industries. I have a blog about that in my website called “The Definition of Beauty.”
WWTW: Where can people see your film — is there a DVD release date set for it?
LFK: I will definitely be selling downloads and DVDs starting Sept. 8 on Amazon.com. You can see the latest news about that at www.beautydocumentary.com/news.
WWTW: Are you surprised at all the media attention regarding Gov. Palin and her attractiveness?
LFK: No I am not surprised. Beautiful women can’t avoid those kinds of comments no matter how much they try. I interviewed a physician who gets comments about her looks all the time, even though it is the least of her concerns when trying to diagnose and solve serious medical problems.
WWTW: Have your fellow filmmakers, either women or men, discussed the subject with you?
LFK: Yes, and they are intrigued by the subject matter. Nobody has really asked the key question about a universal obsession: “What is it REALLY like to be a beautiful woman.
WWTW: It’s rare for a woman as attractive as Gov. Palin to seek an office as high as the vice presidency. Do you think her looks will ultimately help or hurt her more as the election draws near?
LFK: I think they are already hurting her. These comments and jokes about her looks are objectifying her and are subliminally undermining perceptions of her competence. I don’t know if anyone is doing it on purpose, but the effect is real. The fact that people don’t make this analysis renders these unintended attacks more potent. It’s like racial or sexual prejudice – if you’re not aware of it, you are more easily swayed by it.
(Photo: A new documentary, “Beauty: In the Eye of the Beheld,” explores the impact of a woman’s physical beauty)
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