State Theatre screening, panel will examine definition of masculinity

The culture that tells boys to “man up” is examined in the new film “The Mask You Live In,” screening Friday at downtown Modesto’s State Theatre.

The documentary, from the same team behind the critically acclaimed “Miss Representation” in 2011, explores the impact of our culture’s definition of masculinity on boys and young men. The Modesto showing will be followed by a community panel discussion led by Kate Trompetter of the Center for Human Services.

“I think the larger conversation is how we can raise healthier kids who feel free to express themselves and aren’t confined to society’s definitions of what they should be,” Trompetter said. “Every community should be having this conversation.”

The panel will include area leaders, educators and law enforcement representatives. Taking part in the discussion are former Haven Women’s Center Executive Director Belinda Rolicheck, Modesto Junior College English instructor Sam Pierstorff, Modesto police Sgt. Tom Ciccarelli and Modesto City Schools trustee Jordan Dickson.

Trompetter said the mix of panelists represents a wide range of people in the community who help young people thrive and maybe their parents as well. Pierstorff, the father of three children age 12 and under, said the way our culture often links masculinity and violence to boys and young men can manifest itself in destructive ways. The film suggests this can contribute to depression, suicide and even mass shootings perpetrated by young men.

“People are starting to ask what is happening to our boys. It’s not just masculinity in this wonderful John Wayne way. It’s hypermasculinity and it’s violent, it’s misogynistic, it devalues not only women but it devalues sensitivity and kindness. It devalues all the best traits that our culture defines as femininity,” Pierstorff said.

The project is the follow-up from documentarian Jennifer Siebel Newsom, whose last film, “Miss Representation,” examined media’s portrayal of women in society. Journalist and former first lady of California Maria Shriver also serves as executive producer on “The Mask You Live In.”

Trompetter said she hopes the film and panel afterward can foster frank talk about how children are raised and the messages they receive from the media and society.

“I am a parent committed to equality and raising boys and a girl, so I’m committed to the conversation,” she said. “I think the dialogue is critical. The call to action is to leave and go talk to someone about it. Go talk to your kids, your parents, your friends.”

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 7:18 PM with the headline "State Theatre screening, panel will examine definition of masculinity."