With the globalization of beauty, the old saying “sex sells” has changed to “insecurity sells.” The film The Illusionists shines a light on this growing problem by sharing stories from all over the world.
Towson University will present a showing of the The Illusionists on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the West Village Ballroom beginning at 5 p.m. with a reception followed by the film and a special Q&A session with the film’s director Elena Rossini.
Attendance is free and open to the public but space is limited, so an RSVP is required.
The Illusionists examines how global advertising firms, mass media conglomerates, and the beauty, fashion, and cosmetic surgery industries are changing the way people around the world define beauty and see themselves.
The film was shot all over the world, from the galleries of the Louvre Museum to the halls of Harvard College and features interviews with prominent sociologists, politicians, magazine editors, scientists, artists, and activists.
It has been featured in publications such as Vogue Italy, The New York Post, Rolling Stone (Italy) and has also been mentioned on multiple websites including Jezebel, Yahoo! Beauty, Upworthy and more. It also has received countless positive reviews from peers, educators and professionals who specialize in beauty and body image.
“If you’re going to watch one documentary on the beauty industrial complex, this should be it,” said Lisa Wade, associate professor of sociology at Occidental College. “With unsettling visuals, damning examples, and interviews with the leading experts, The Illusionists reveals the capitalist impulses behind the intimidatingly high standard of beauty in the West and shows how corporations are bringing men, children, and the entire world into its destructive fold.”
Rossini is an Italian filmmaker, DP, photographer, multimedia producer and writer. Before coming to Towson, she presented the film in California at the headquarters for Facebook, Apple, Twitter and Google.
The event is presented by The Health Center, The Center for Student Diversity, the College of Fine Arts and Communications, The Counseling Center, The Campus Activities Board, SGA, The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, and TU International.
