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Some more reflections on the point of view, which is really the point on which the whole thing turns.
There are many, many shots of underage girls which can only be described as porny, not only in terms of what is happening but how it's shot. https://twitter.com/anosognosically/status/1304158017655648258
There are many, many shots of underage girls which can only be described as porny, not only in terms of what is happening but how it's shot. https://twitter.com/anosognosically/status/1304158017655648258
So the film is going to be not *about* the titillation of depicting preteen girls in this way to the extent that it accomplishes ironic distancing from its own point of view.
And it does do some of this, to some extent, especially here: https://twitter.com/anosognosically/status/1304151873780436992?s=20
And it does do some of this, to some extent, especially here: https://twitter.com/anosognosically/status/1304151873780436992?s=20
This shift in perspective actually emerges as a device, most strongly when Amy stops mid-routine, crying, which is accompanied by non-diegetic sound, a change in framing and in lighting and color.
Many scenes of her at home are similarly distinguished.
Many scenes of her at home are similarly distinguished.
So there's a reasonable argument to be made that the porny shots reflect Amy's point of view. So the question becomes, where does *that* come from?
The critical social argument would say that this is imposed on her. But the film does not support this.
The critical social argument would say that this is imposed on her. But the film does not support this.
The first appearance of sensualization in the film is when Amy watches Angelica dance in the laundry room. The POV we get is Amy's, and she is enchanted by Angelica's dancing.
This scene argues, then, the opposite: for a spontaneous, naturalized sensualization. This is like nothing Amy knows in her life, *and she wants that for herself*.
This is supported by the fact that it's Amy who seeks out more explicit sexualization for the group.
This is supported by the fact that it's Amy who seeks out more explicit sexualization for the group.
Society is implicated insofar as it's available, as the adults responsible for the girls don't step in, and the contest judges and audience support it.
But the sensualized point of view *precedes all of that*--hence, it is implicitly naturalized.
But the sensualized point of view *precedes all of that*--hence, it is implicitly naturalized.
This is also true of various non-dance scenes towards the beginning, such as the scene where Amy and Angelica break into the forbidden bedroom. This *should* be a scene of unselfconscious play, but it too is sensualized, which goes even farther in naturalizing this POV.
