Zambezi Kiwi

This weekend marks a momentous occasion in New Zealand society. A very special movie will light up cinema screens around the country and hundred, thousands, will flock to see it.

50 Shades Darker is the moving tale of a rich and powerful business tycoon who believes he has the right to take what he wants-sexually speaking-from women without giving anything in return.

It is the heartwarming story of one man’s pursuit of a woman’s body, and the various ways in which he uses and abuses his power to reach his goal.

It is the powerful portrayal of an alpha male who takes what he wants and forges his own path in the world, irrespective of the accepted norms and boundaries in the society around him.

It is the delicate and beautiful exploration of narcissism and jealousy, and how control and domination of another human being can be achieved in a relationship.

It is, in particular, about sex, and how to objectify both men and women so that all sense of personhood is eradicated.

Yes, the intricate and moving film is the second in a series that serves up all of these wonderful ingredients, with the final movie in the pipelines.

And if the first movie is anything to go by, it will break box office records both in New Zealand and globally.

Tickets to see the film are being given away on radio stations. Presenters dare each other to watch it and delight in its naughtiness.

The media fall over themselves to get reviews online first, and anyone who suggests the movie contains vile and dehumanizing themes is laughed at as a prude.

Meanwhile, across the oceans America’s newest President makes the news almost daily because of his attitude to women.

The wealthy and powerful business tycoon made headlines around the world when tapes were released outlining his belief that power allowed him to take what he wanted from women without giving anything in return.

He is an alpha male, who takes what he wants and forges his own path in the world, irrespective of the accepted norms and boundaries in the society around him.

There are some who say he is a narcissist, who dominates those around him through bullying.

And he is famous for comments that objectify women and value them purely on their appearance rather than for their character, brains or heart.

Presenters on radio stations have spent hours denouncing his behaviour, and decry his naughtiness.

The media fall over themselves to call him out for the behaviour, and claim that women ought to be valued for who they are, not just what they look like. Anyone who suggests otherwise is considered chauvinistic, misogynistic and evil.

And everybody seems to have forgotten that government is “of the people, by the people, for the people”.

If we are people who flock to cinemas to watch powerful men abuse their position with women, if we delight in such naughtiness and fill our minds and hearts with it, how can we decry it in our leaders?

This article was first published on Stuff.co.nz