GTFO: Get the F&#% Out

Hours and hours of online video have been devoted to the topic of sexual harassment towards women in the video game community, but Shannon Sun-Higginson's trim 76-minute documentary appears to be the first actual movie dedicated to the matter. The film reviews, analyzes, and comments on a wide range of relevant subjects with impressive clarity and calmness. While not bombastic enough to be a true blockbuster documentary and unlikely to dislodge opinions firmly moored against it, the movie nevertheless triumphs by summarizing a very complex social situation and presenting it in an accessible manner.

It's important to know what this movie *isn't.* It isn't a platform for media figures like Anita Sarkeesian, Brianna Wu, or Zoe Quinn to promote their ideas. If the combined screen time of Sarkeesian, Wu, and Quinn exceeds five minutes, I'll be surprised. It's also not focused on the Gamergate controversy - a subject which the filmmakers tack on during the film's final three minutes, pointing out that harassment in gaming is too large an issue to encompass with one spectacle. Instead, the documentary focuses on a host of subjects that includes cyberbullying, the perception of female game-players, the historically isolated nature of the game development world, the "boys' club" mentality, and an analysis of online and in-game harassment.

The movie does a fine job of disseminating its intricate subject. Its overall approach is holistic, but it doesn't ignore the troubling symptoms of the phenomenon. The filmmakers are aware that understanding is paramount to addressing this problem on a practical scale, so this is not the fist-in-the-air, marshal-the-troops display of militant feminism that some might expect. A sound weaving of narratives gets across this one's message, which is essentially that not only is harassment of this sort prevalent, it's based on firmly-established cultural norms and produces effects not limited to a handful of spiteful comments on Xbox Live. Longtime followers of this trend may not find anything groundbreaking in the information presented here, but the movie may be the best vehicle for presenting these ideas as a package.

On a technical level, the film maintains a rolling pace but nevertheless bears some less-than-perfect qualities. There's an overabundance of repetitious stock footage (forgivable and limited to the first half of the film) and the audio of some of the interviews is a little hollow. Viewers who dismiss the movie out of hand may cry foul at every point expressed, but the only problematic instance I noted is the framing of Miranda Pakozdi, who presents her experience of the infamous "Cross Assault" event differently than the filmmakers do.

Despite its serious subject matter, the movie is not pessimistic. Much of the runtime highlights positive developments, including the influx and encouragement of female interest in game design, the fostering of supportive communities like GirlGeekCon, and growing male awareness of the matter. When the film ended, I felt optimistic and energized, which is probably the way the filmmakers intended me to feel.

A certain number of viewers will have absolutely no use of this one. If you're already well-informed on the matter, then there's nothing here for you to sink your teeth into. However, I do recommend this one to general audiences who are fine with the subject matter and occasional profanity. There is a ton of information here and this is probably the easiest way to receive it.

It's a documentary that demonizes gamers and is written with little to no knowledge of the medium. Very little is factual and it goes out of it's way to paint those who oppose said ideas as awful human beings. Not to mention it pretends to take offense for those who aren't offended. Steer clear at all costs

I found this movie very confusing.

At first we're told that the video game industry doesn't cater to women but later we're told that 50% of gamers ARE women. These statements can't both be true and the fact that such a glaring plot hole made it out of the writer's room really took me out of the movie.

I also found the central performances lacking. Leigh Alexander appeared to be slurring her words and Anita Sarkeesian's acting (if you can call it that) was worse than Bart Baggett's.

If you want see a more realistic depiction of what it's like to be a woman in gaming, I'd recommend the Law & Order SVU episode, "Intimidation Game". They absolutely nailed it.

While I can empathize with the producers, to me it came across as angry and an outright attack on men. It does very much bother me that women are depicted as sex objects, especially underage ones in the JRPGs that I love. The numbers are fudged IMO. I have been very active in the gaming community for almost 40 years, and I am always on the lookout for female gamers. Sadly, I have rarely found this demographic. There is a massive amount of different genres to attract anyone. So this narrative seems very unresearched and self serving. Not objective, just angry.

You need to keep an open mind while watching this documentary. Remember that people are just stating their opinions, and try to value them. I personally did not agree with all of the statements or world views portrayed, but still think it's important to hear them.

Unfortunately it is very easy as a guy and especially if you are a gamer to become infuriated by some of the arguments (or the mere sight of Anita Sarkeesian). But if you are able to get past that you might actually discover that there are many valid points being made.

I love gaming and video games and I think everyone should be able to enjoy them, man or woman. I would hate to be told I cannot do the thing I love because of my gender. That is why I think people should give this film a chance. Perhaps next time you meet a female gamer in lobby or forum you will think twice before casually making a sexist joke or comment.