Oscar-contending documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hite will soon captivate audiences in the UK and Ireland. Produced by Dogwoof, a prominent London-based documentary film company, the film will be released on January 12, offering a compelling exploration of the life and work of the renowned American sex researcher, Shere Hite. Hite rose to fame in the 1970s with groundbreaking findings, challenging societal norms surrounding gender, sexuality, and female pleasure. However, her journey was not without its share of controversy and subsequent exile. In anticipation of its release, this article dives deep into the captivating story recounted in Nicole Newnham’s documentary.
Unveiling a Transformational Icon
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite” sheds light on the feminist sex researcher, Shere Hite, and her revolutionary contributions to sociocultural discourses on gender and sexuality. In 1976, Hite’s influential publication, “The Hite Report,” aimed to liberate women from the confines of societal expectations by demystifying female pleasure and providing a platform for thousands of anonymous survey respondents to share their private experiences. By extensively exploring exclusive archives, Hite’s personal journals, and the original survey responses, filmmaker Nicole Newnham transports viewers back to a time of profound societal transformation surrounding sexual liberation.
Dakota Johnson, an acclaimed actress, lends her voice to Hite’s writings, narrating passages that honor and amplify the voices of the women who participated in her survey. Johnson’s involvement extends beyond narration, as she also assumes the role of executive producer for The Disappearance of Shere Hite. This collaboration between Johnson and Newnham infuses the documentary with a powerful perspective, enriched by Johnson’s personal connection to Hite’s work.
Revisiting Hite’s Enduring Legacy
Newnham’s documentary serves as a catalyst for discussions surrounding female pleasure and gender equality in our post-#metoo era. Inspired by her own personal experience, Newnham discovered “The Hite Report” at the age of 12, a pivotal moment that exposed her to an honest and diverse spectrum of experiences across age, race, ability, sexual identity, and more. Through re-examining Hite’s groundbreaking explorations, the documentary endeavors to reignite conversations among women, shedding light on biases, taboos, and societal norms that have perpetuated female suppression and endanger women’s well-being. The legacy of Shere Hite, once lost in silence, is destined to spark a progressive movement for change and understanding.
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite” has garnered significant recognition in the film industry. The documentary was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and earned a place in the prestigious IDFA’s Best of Fests lineup, reserved for the most outstanding nonfiction films of the year. Newnham’s thoughtful approach to merging historical insights with the urgency of our cultural moment has resonated profoundly with audiences and critics alike. With a “100% Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the documentary stands as a testament to the film’s captivating storytelling and its ability to transcend temporal boundaries.
During her career, Shere Hite, a model turned researcher, fearlessly embraced her beauty, making no attempt to relinquish her femininity or conform to traditional academic standards. As the film explores, her decisions contradicted prevailing norms, subjecting her to a double standard that heavily scrutinized her professional credibility. However, Newnham contends that Hite’s unapologetic approach to self-expression is now revered rather than stigmatized. In today’s society, the rejection of societal expectations and unabashed individuality, even in academia and research fields, is celebrated. This change in perspectives emphasizes the lasting impact of Hite’s work, inspiring present and future generations to break free from societal constraints.
An Expansive Documentary Endeavor
Directed by Nicole Newnham, renowned for her Oscar-nominated film “Crip Camp,” and produced by an esteemed team including Molly O’Brien, R.J. Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, Kimberley Ferdinando, Trevor Smith, and Nicole Newnham herself, “The Disappearance of Shere Hite” is a collaborative production from NBC News Studios, This Machine, Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction, and Teatime Pictures. The extensive collaboration and shared commitment to capturing Hite’s story have resulted in a powerful documentary experience that serves as both a historical testament and a call to action.
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite” is an extraordinary documentary that revitalizes the legacy of an influential figure in the field of gender and sexuality studies. Through Newnham’s nuanced storytelling and the compelling narration of Dakota Johnson, the film delves into Shere Hite’s life, illuminating her groundbreaking contributions while recognizing the challenges she faced. This documentary serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality while igniting conversations around female pleasure that have been obscured for far too long. The enduring relevance of Hite’s work encourages us to continue challenging societal norms and striving for a more inclusive and accepting world.
Leave a Reply