Spin the Bottle

Synopsis

Spin the Bottle offers an indispensable critique of the role that contemporary popular culture plays in glamorizing excessive drinking and high-risk behaviors. Award-winning media critics Jackson Katz and Jean Kilbourne contrast these distorted representations with the often disturbing and dangerous ways that alcohol consumption affects the lives of real young men and women. Illustrating their analysis with numerous examples, Katz and Kilbourne decode the power and influence these seductive media images have in shaping gender identity, which is linked to the use of alcohol. Nowhere is this link more cause for concern than on America's college campuses.

By exploring the college party scene, Spin the Bottle shows the difficulties students have in navigating a cultural environment saturated with messages about gender and alcohol. Interviews with campus health professionals provide a clear picture of how drinking impacts student health and academic performance, but it is the students' own experiences and reflections that tell the real story behind alcohol's alluring public image.

Spin the Bottle concludes with concrete strategies for countering the ubiquitous presence of alcohol propaganda and challenges young people to make conscious decisions about their own lives.

Release Date:2004

Duration:45 min

ISBN:1-893521-89-3

Subtitles:English & Spanish

Trailers

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Filmmaker Credits

Producer & Editor

Ronit Ridberg

Executive Producers

Loretta Alper & Sut Jhally

Camera

Kelly Garner, David Rabinovitz

Motion Graphics

Alisa Placas

Audio Engineering & Sound Design

Thom Monahan

Second Camera

Kenyon King, Jeremy Smith

Filmmaker Biographies

Jean Kilbourne

PIONEERING ACTIVIST, SPEAKER & WRITER

Jean Kilbourne is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on alcohol and tobacco advertising and the image of women in advertising. Her films, slide lectures and television appearances have been seen by millions of people throughout the world. She was named by The New York Times Magazine as one of the three most popular speakers on college campuses today. Jean Kilbourne's website -- www.jeankilbourne.com -- contains a host of information, including:

Jackson Katz

Educator, Author and Filmmaker

Jackson Katz is one of America's leading anti-sexist male activists. An educator, author and filmmaker, he is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in gender violence prevention education with men and boys. He has lectured on hundreds of college and high school campuses and has conducted hundreds of professional trainings, seminars & workshops. He is the co-founder of the Mentors In Violence Prevention (MVP) program, the leading gender violence prevention initiative in professional and college athletics. Visit Jackson Katz's site at www.jacksonkatz.com. Jackson Katz is available for speaking engagements at colleges by contacting Kevin MacRae at MacRae Speakers. In addition, Jackson Katz conducts full or half-day trainings for college staff, faculty, and administrators; high school educators; sexual assault and domestic violence program staff; health-care and human services professionals; law enforcement personnel; and others. For schedule and fee information, e-mail Jackson Katz.

Resources: Downloads and Related Links

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Praise

"Media critics Jackson Katz and Jean Kilbourne have done it again... A dramatic and sobering assessment of alcohol use, abuse, and the targeted marketing of young people; this video should be required viewing--from high school to college and beyond."

Frank Baker
Media Educator

Spin the Bottle is a wonderful resource for anyone working to reduce alcohol-related problems on college campuses. It presents the issues in a non-threatening, appealing manner and encourages students to make safe and responsible choices."

Claire Feldman-Riordan
alcohol educator

"An important examination of the many cultural facets related to collegiate high-risk drinking."

Cindy McCue
President, Be Responsible About Drinking (B.R.A.D.) Foundation