The Life Zone: If Saw and Human Centipede had a baby
The glow of pregnancy
Three young women wake up, confused and terrified, in a room that looks like a cross between a normal hospital room and the creepy underground lair of some mad scientist from a horror movie. A video screen flickers on and a creepy older man, looking a bit like Academy-award-nominee Robert Loggia, appears on it, telling the women that he’s their “jailer.” The women, you see, had all been getting abortions when their jailer’s shadowy accomplices kidnapped them and brought them to this strange prison, where they will be forced to live for the next seven months until they gave birth. “You were all on the operating table, all ready to commit murder,” announces a mysterious doctor. “Your babies will be given life just as God planned.”
This is the premise of a new horror film called The Life Zone, which recently had its world premiere at the prestigious, er, Hoboken International Film Festival, a festival that was, perhaps not coincidentally, founded and chaired by the film’s writer and producer, Kenneth del Vecchio. In case you think I’m making all this up, here’s the film’s trailer, which makes The Life Zone look a bit like an equal-parts mixture of Saw, Human Centipede, and The Handmaid’s Tale, with Robert Loggia in the role of Jigsaw/Dr. Heiter/The Commander:
Now, if you thought that something seemed really … off about that trailer, well, you’re not alone. For the film is not, as you might have assumed from my description, a warning against the fanatical misogyny of many in the anti-abortion movement.
No, the film – produced by a pro-life former judge, crime thriller author, and Republican New Jersey state senate candidate – is meant as pro-life propaganda. As the offical press release for the film’s premiere put it:
The film, which appears to cut right down the middle [of the abortion debate], examining the topic from both sides, offers a powerful, anti-abortion climactic twist. Del Vecchio and the cast invite pro-lifers to come to this historic event.
During the months the three women are held in captivity, you see, they are exposed to a barrage of films and books intended to, er, educate them about abortion –what their attending obstetrician Dr. Wise describes as “an abortion think tank.” Two of the captive women do indeed convert to the pro-life side; apparently we in the audience are supposed to develop Stockholm Syndrome along with them. The third, as we see in the trailer, tries to induce a miscarriage, which doesn’t go quite as planned.
And this sets us up for the final twist, which I’m just going to go ahead and reveal: once all three women have given birth, Dr. Wise tells them she’s going to sew them all, mouth-to-vagina, into a Human Abortion-pede!
Actually no: the twist is that the “life zone” the three women in has actually been … purgatory! All three “captives,” you see, had died on the operating table while getting their abortions. (Apparently they went to the world’s worst abortion clinic, as first-trimester abortions don’t involve anything more surgically invasive than the insertion of a suction tube; the risk of death from a legal surgical abortion is 0.0006%, one in 160,000 cases, making the procedure many times safer than childbirth itself.) Their time in the “life zone” was a test: the two women who changed their minds were whisked up to heaven, while their miscarriage-attempting, stubbornly pro-choice companion is sent straight to H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. Dr. Wise, despite being on the right side of the abortion question, also goes to hell for committing suicide. And, oh yeah, their jailer – Loggia – was Satan. Why Satan and a hell-bound doctor were the ones trying to convert the abortion ladies to the pro-life side I can’t tell you; del Vecchio’s theology is evidently more sophisticated than I am.
The real twist here? As Jersey Journal writer Alan Robb notes:
The Life Zone went viral across the internet [last] Friday after blogs The Frisky and Talking Points Memo picked up on the film’s trailer. … But despite garnering more than 20,000 hits on YouTube in the last four days, only fifty people – including the film’s cast and producers – attended this weekend’s screening, and even those who starred in the movie didn’t know how to interpret its twist ending.
It’s impossible to tell from the trailer if the film is bad in a so-bad-it’s-good way, or if it’s just plain awful. I will try to get hold of it when it hits video, and will report back with my results.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a good horror film set in a creepy hospital, try renting Infection, a Japanese film from 2005. Or, if you’ve got a longer attention span, try Lars Von Trier’s supernatural soap opera The Kingdom, a darkly comic miniseries which takes place in what one might call, paraphrasing Bill Murray’s character in Tootsie, “one nutty hospital.” Both are conveniently available on Netflix instant watch, so you don’t even have to leave your pregnancy dungeon to see them.
EDITED: Added some info on the minimal dangers of abortion procedures.
Posted on June 8, 2011, in creepy, evil women, misogyny, patriarchy, reactionary bullshit, vaginas. Bookmark the permalink. 1,066 Comments.
@Ami and Spear,
Next weekend as in this coming weekend, or the one after? Can’t really do the one after…As for this one, it’s going to be a bit chaotic since the reason I’m going there this weekend is my aunt’s engagement party, but I suppose it’s possible. :)
Damn. Friday’s a work night for me.
I think watching the Human Centipede will be more edifying than reading any more of MRAL’s self- pity. Quite enough for one night. All y’all’s branes are safe for another night.
MRAL:
Worst case? You get some advice on how to cope/vent/whatever with your “immutable” problems. Best case? You find out that your real problem is body image, and that you really don’t have a bunch of disorders weighing you down. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You’d want to have all of your sorrows vanish? Or do you like “playing the victim” too much?
@Ami and Spear,
Aww, dammit. Can’t make it then. We’re in busy season and I was lucky to get this Friday off; I’ll probably be working next weekend. :(
@Alex Spear meant the one after :\
@MRAL it would at least give you somebody to talk to, like you talk w/ us, except not judging you or mocking you or being… like me xD Also it could just help in terms of venting anger, frustrations, etc plus might help w/ self confidence and such… but you’ll never know if you don’t try :]
Kirby, MRAL has a lot invested in his victimhood. It’s not going to be easy to get him to give that up.
@New England meetup JEALOUS!
rassinfrassindamnedgoodchemdepartmentontheothersideofthecountrymrawr
@PosterformerlyknownasElizabeth *waves* actually, I do. At the U of A.
MRAL, it would give you a perspective besides yourself. Seriously, go tell a therapist how concerned you are about your morning vs. evening height. If they tell you it’s normal/healthy, I’m swearing off Manboobz. :P
Also, @Beth, how do you feel about edge brownies? Because I have an all-edge brownie pan :-p
MRAL, therapy will help you see that your problems can change. DO IT! I believe in you!
It helped me! =D
*waves back but then looks snooty for being right next to ASU* heehee
I should probably get going to zee homestead…big boring day tomorrow.
@Beth Wait, you’re near ASU? That’s not something to be snooty about!
>.> Okay, i actually don’t care. Being a grad student and all :-p
“I think watching the Human Centipede will be more edifying than reading any more of MRAL’s self- pity.”
It’s pretty cloying tonight.
Good night, all.
*googles* Yes, I wanted to get one of those.
Damn, this thread has exploded! lol *yawn* Good night everyone. This has been fun.
Live free or abort hard
Robouterus
Dawn of the dead….fetus(Fetui?)
Fetus Gremlins—Don’t get pregnant after midnight
GoldCervix
The Good, The Bad and the Aborted
Vagina Warrior
Legend of Drunken Whore
Bride of No One
Life Zone II: The Wrath of Khan
Raiders of The Lost Uterus
If women having the right to refuse sex with someone they don’t want to is eugenics, I am all for eugenics.
That is why I was hee heeing…ASU is NOT high class by any means.
Sarah… maybe. I wasn’t planning on going to Pride because the events didn’t appeal to me (I’m queer! Really!), but I might come out to meet a random stranger on the Internet. :P Send me an email?
They’re awesome! My girlfriend knows me so well ^_^
Also, apparently Ami is rubbing off on me, as I usually don’t use this many emoticons… I can’t even pretend that I find that a bad thing :-p
Damnit, my comment got scrolled to the other page, so I’m going to repost it. BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY IS IMPORTANT!
“Good night to the sleepyheads!
And I am totally down for brownies, Formerly Elizabeth! I’ll even wash pans! XD
Molly Ren, I’m going to be at the Pride Parade this Saturday. How about you? We could be having a Man Boobz meet-up, and celebrating mad pride! =D
Are we still talking about hair? I’m planning on getting a Joan Jett style Mullet! =D”
Nobby: XD!
So, MRAL, start hanging out with Asians then.
Actually, in all seriousness,I will repeat what a bunch of people have said already: talk to a counselor. Your obsessions about your body (and your belief that you’re some kind of mutant) sound a lot like Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
http://www.pamguide.com.au/anxiety/bdd_test.php
Just from what you’ve said here, it looks like you would answer “yes” to most of the questions on the quiz.
More on it:
http://www.medicinenet.com/body_dysmorphic_disorder/article.htm
If this is what you have, you can get treatment for it — medication or therapy.
I suffer from chronic depression. I’ve known numerous people with depression, with bipolar disorder, with schizophrenia, with OCD, with eating disorders. Mental disorders can really fuck up your life, but they are TREATABLE. Medication and/or therapy won’t make the problem go away, but they can help enormously.
Seriously: talk to a therapist.
Ok, double posting was pointless. Sorry guys. I really ought to be getting some sleep soon, too. =p
Wait… so since I’m Asian I must have a shorter idea of ideal height o: So that’s why I’m okay with shorter guys MRAL? Does it matter if I grew up around mostly Asian or mostly white ppl? or just that I’m Asian? Does it matter if I come from Northern Chinese or Southern Chinese background?
I’m infectious! :D Wheeee! :3
Also: Boston manboobz meetup = awesome!
I will be in Boston later this summer, so maybe I can get in on some future meetup action.
Any Man Boobzers in the midwest? Zombie, you’re in wisconsin? I’m in Chicago, as are several MB readers I know. Hmm.
Hmmm… I wasn’t sure whether to say yes to “do you ask others about your unattractiveness?” I don’t in the real world, but have online.
Typhoid Ami. It’s got a certain ring to it.
I will be going to the kind of midwest by going to Louisville, KY in July.
I want an all-middle brownie pan. Everyone always discriminates against us middle-lovers, though. You edgers and your fancy privilege. IT’S NOT FAIR!
I like Bride of No One btw xD
@MRAL that counts
Bee:
Hear hear! What’s wrong with liking gooey chocolatey yumminess? I want brownies I have to roll into a ball like a katamari! Onces that melt in my mouth because they are already melted! I want…
Dang, now I’m hungry. I want brownies!
It’s easy to understand where MRAL is coming from not wanting to do therapy; if you (feel like you) have legitimate problems, it’s easy to think that all you need is a solution to your real problem.
I felt that way when I was unemployed and depressed: “I don’t need therapy! I need a goddamn job!”
But, of course, sometimes shit happens that you can’t control, and if one of your goals is to not be miserable, therapy is a good idea.
I visit Chicago a fair amount. I’d be down with a Man Boobz meeting, maybe. Put me on the mailing list!
As to privilege:
* I am an able-bodied person, which means that I can make plans and go places without having to wonder if there is a handicapped spot for me to park or if I might get too tired halfway through and come home. I can order pretty much whatever I want in a restaurant and not worry that it’ll make me feel badly or threaten my life. I don’t have to spend money on medical bills, which means I can spend them on other things as well. My vision kind of sucks, but I only need glasses for computer/reading/sewing/close work. Despite having about 40+ cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, only one aunt has had cancer.
* I am white, which means that my American citizenship is never questioned by anyone. Everyone assumes that my parents came here legally and that I have a right to be here. I’m part Cherokee, but not enough to show on my face.
* My parents were upper middle class when I grew up. They could afford to buy a house in a good school district, and my mother did not have to work; so she was alway available to help me and my siblings with our homework. My dad’s job was well paying enough that he did not have to work long hours, so he was also able to help me and my siblings with our homework. My mother taught me to read before I even entered kindergarten, which gave me an immense head start over my peers. My home was filled with books, which gave me a love of reading and a curiosity that has served me well.
* I am hetero and cisgender. I buy women’s clothing, enjoy wearing it, and grow my hair long. I was born female and truly feel female. I have the privilege of not having to question my gender. I can walk down the street with my boyfriend and not be gawked at. If we want to marry, we will be able to. I am privileged enough to live in a liberal state, where I have easy access to birth control and about five Planned Parenthood clinics within a two hour drive.
There, that’s some privilege for ya. There’s a bunch of stuff that I just don’t have to worry about, because of how I look, the way I was born or the social class I was born into. Despite having good genes for physical health, many of my male blood relations have some form of autism or Asperger’s, including my brother.
And I’ve still had challenges in my life. I’ve been disappointed, and being upper middle class didn’t keep my family from being borderline dysfunctional – getting over the idea that I didn’t deserve happiness has been a struggle. I’ve made mistakes and had my heart broken. I’ve been made to feel worthless and like I don’t matter. I haven’t been able to find sustainable employment, so I’m going back to school to retrain – and even though it might be challenging, I won’t have to take out a student loan to complete the program.
Privilege doesn’t mean that life sucks for women and is always sunshine and roses for men. Privilege means that some people have advantages in life, because of where they were born or the assumptions people make based on how they look – like your old viewpoint that fat women were worthless people. In your world, the naturally thin are privileged, because you don’t immediately make a snap judgement as to their moral character. Some of the stuff that I’ve mentioned above is pretty minor – and sometimes, privilege *is* a minor thing. But minor things add up, one to the other and over a whole lifetime and across cultures. Paris Hilton is privileged because she’s rich, white and beautiful. But she’s also famous and female, which means people get to make fun of her for being a woman known to have sex. President Obama has been privileged enough to get a good education and become President – but he’s also the subject of subtle and not so subtle racism.
Is any of this sinking in, or am I just wasting more of my time?
Oh, and if anyone lives in the Southern California area, I’m up for a MBZ pub crawl!
VvS: YES! I’m in Pasadena. Where are you?
Ami, you also left out YANKEES SUCK.
@Lady Vic on cis privilege you also don’t need doctors’ and psychiatrists to approve you to be the gender you are :\ (or fear violence for using the washroom)
Sry, just wanted to add those, not implying that you’re not aware :]
YANKEES RED SOX AND RAYS SUCK! >:O
But Orioles are awesome! XD
After the groping thread, I’m not so sure I even WANT to offer MRAL any help or that he’s anything other than a troll, but I dunno, the following seems like a generally good thing to post and let people know about. (I tried to post this before but I think it didn’t work because of links.)
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome/new/splash
Mood Gym is website built by researchers and therapists at a university in Australia that lets you go through cognitive therapy exercises online. It’s not a substitute for therapy, but it’s free and can give you an idea what modern therapists are usually trying to accomplish. I think sometimes people are hesitant to go into to therapy because they think it’s going to be the sort of intense psychoanalysis bullshit you see in movies and on TV, but the reality today is much more prosaic. You’ll see that it’s mostly about recognizing and challenging distorted thinking and developing coping skills. It’s all very practical. IMHO, good cognitive behavioral therapy can also help strengthen your overall critical thinking skills.
Though, your mileage may vary, I guess.
/therapy boosterism derail
Holy Crumbs :O 743 (incl this one) comments! xD If this keeps up tmrw we could top 1000! :3
745 now :O
Quick, somebody get a troll, we only need a quarter of a thousand more comments! :D
Quick Kirby, pretend to be an MRA troll!
VvS: YES! I’m in Pasadena. Where are you?
Woot! West LA, actually, near Venice Beach, so on the other side of downtown from you. And despite living in LA, I do not have car privilege :(
@Lady Vic on cis privilege you also don’t need doctors’ and psychiatrists to approve you to be the gender you are :\ (or fear violence for using the washroom)
Sry, just wanted to add those, not implying that you’re not aware :]
That is true, and it was something that I wasn’t acutely aware of because i don’t really have to think about it. Thus, MRAL, is privilege.
Umm umm umm umm… Oh you short people are all just fascists! You don’t understand the awful every-day predjudice us men of tall size face! Also men are more opressed with women, there is no gender gap… and.. and… OH! The Rothchilds are taking over everything and you all are too blind to see it! And… umm… The government is taking over your brains!
Canucks blow my ballsack.
Edge brownies for all!
And by all I mean ME! Om nom nom.
Wow, this thread has turned into one of those conversations that happen at the bus stop when a crazy person comes up to you and desperately tries to, cry on your shoulder, give you their life story, and curse the very ground you stand on. All at the same time.
The wisdom of Ami’s MRA fertilizer comment has never been proven more true.
I am reading back through some really sad and perplexing posts.
Mr Kolbold, that is almost too accurate to be funny… Almost. XD
For Halloween one year, I want to host a ‘come as your favorite Internet meme’ party. I was going to paint myself green, wear a furkini, put on some horns and wrap myself in fishing net – and then carry around a sign that says something like “I kick puppies for fun,” and go as a Net Troll. Now I’m thinking that I might have to change the sign to something like “You all hate me because I’m short” or “We hunted the mammoth to feed you!”
Maybe I’ll make a giant cardboard d12 and just write different trollisms, then make fun of people for being nerds when they know what a d12 is.
XD shall conquer all.
I’m starting to think I should market a brand of Ami XD clothing xD Like little pendants or earrings! xD
That’d be an AWESOME halloween party btw Lady Victoria! :D
You know, that could probably work.
“Rodeo Cat” wit a little riding kitten on it!
“XD” and on the back? “XD”
“I’m infectious!” With a laughing face or summat.
Goodness, you know, I have a new appreciation for what Molly Ivins said about bureaucrats-I just finished reading the regs and the original VAWA language…men were not excluded by the actual text but some government official just assumed they were because the VAWA had the word “women” in the title. Stupid.
“Just XD It”
XD: Repelling Trolls Since 2011
(actually it’s prolly since 2007, this isn’t the first time a troll has snapped from it xD )
“You will be XDimilated!”
“Canucks blow my ballsack.”
Honestly, what the hell happened here? Are there even posts that I can’t see!?
I’m confused about that too, Kobold. Not really sure what that’s all about.
@Ami I would totally buy XD stuff if you made it. I am not joking in the slightest.
He’s talking about hockey xD I mentioned that I hate the Bruins (and the Canucks, but the NE ppl here focused on the Bruins thing ) and I think it’s a reaction to that :3
*Sigh* MRAL, if you’re gonna show up again, at least be interesting… C’mon, 1000 comments! We can do it!
Oh alright, well sorry but go Bruins, what with the Pats, Celtics, and Sox winning all we need is that planetary body to align and the portal will open.
I cheer for the Pats and Celts xD I cheered for the Sox back in 2004… but I just dun like the Bruins xD I think it’s Chara… and the uniforms xD I’m a huge fan of Bourque and Orr and Neely,.. so it’s weird.. I just dun like the Bruins… XD
Yo Kobold, Holly and I were talking about a Manboobz Meetup, and I forget whether you said anything or not. Are you around the boston area?
Goo, uh….. *looks up UofA website* Wildcats! Yeah, that’s us. Cause we’re cool.. or something…
>.> <.<
Its okay, Nobby, its okay to not follow sports. I’m a fellow No-Spo, you’re safe here.