Watch Seeing Red

Seeing Red is a 2005 documentary film by American filmmaker Su Friedrich that delves into her own family history and explores the ways in which women's experiences have been shaped by gendered violence and trauma in the United States. The film is a deeply personal exploration of Friedrich's own relationship with her mother and grandmother, both of whom were survivors of domestic abuse, and the impact that this history has had on her own life.

The film is divided into several chapters, each of which takes on a particular theme or issue related to gendered violence and trauma. In the opening chapter, "The Past is Present," Friedrich reflects on her own childhood and the ways in which her mother's experiences have shaped her own understanding of gender and power. She uses old family photographs and home movies to tell her story, intercutting these with footage of contemporary women's rights demonstrations and marches.

Other chapters focus on specific issues related to domestic abuse and sexual assault, such as the ways in which these crimes are often overlooked or dismissed by law enforcement and society at large, and the pervasive impact of interpersonal violence on survivors' mental and physical health. In one particularly moving sequence, Friedrich interviews several women who have experienced sexual assault, asking them to describe their experiences in detail and then projecting their words on the screen in large, bold letters. The effect is both haunting and empowering, as the women's stories take on a new, public life and are amplified in a way that foregrounds their urgency and importance.

Throughout the film, Friedrich also weaves in her own personal journey of healing and self-discovery, using her own experiences as a lens through which to explore broader social and political questions. In several segments, she recounts her own history of abuse and trauma, including a harrowing story of being followed and threatened by a stranger on the streets of New York City. These personal stories serve to deepen the film's emotional resonance, as Friedrich invites viewers into her own struggles and vulnerabilities with a rare honesty and vulnerability.

One of the defining features of Seeing Red is its innovative use of intertextuality and multidisciplinarity. The film incorporates a wide range of archival materials, including newsreel footage, public service announcements, and historical documents, in order to contextualize and critique the ways in which gendered violence has been represented and discussed throughout American history. Friedrich also draws on academic literature, feminist theory, and other forms of cultural production – such as literature, art, and music – to deepen and enrich her analysis.

One of the key themes that emerges throughout the film is the ways in which gendered violence is rooted in broader systems of inequality and oppression. Friedrich consistently situates her analysis within a wider political and social framework, arguing that gendered violence cannot be solved through individualized interventions alone but requires a broader, systemic approach that addresses the root causes of inequality and injustice. This political commitment gives the film a powerful urgency and relevance, as Friedrich makes a compelling case for why gendered violence must be seen as a matter of urgent public concern.

Overall, Seeing Red is an ambitious, innovative, and deeply affecting film that grapples with some of the most urgent and important social and political questions of our time. By blending personal storytelling, interdisciplinary analysis, and political commitment, Friedrich has created a work that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually rigorous, and that offers a powerful vision of what feminist documentary filmmaking can accomplish.

Seeing Red is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.