This 2016 short film premiered as a part of MTV’s “Look Different” campaign, which encouraged filmmakers to explore the topic of hidden biases. In this film, a young man is shown watching football, chugging beer, dosing testosterone before working out, playing drinking games, and violently beating a younger boy with a fraternity paddle. During some of these moments, he locks eyes with another young man and seems to get approval for his harmful actions. According to the filmmaker, the piece is meant to resemble his own struggles with his sexuality and standards of masculinity. “American Male” was one of the three winners in MTV’s competition. 

discussion

What are some of the behaviors this video associates with American male culture?

How are women represented in this video? Do you feel as though women are erased from the story, or is their lack of representation part of the story’s context?

What is the effect of the character speaking through voiceover? Did this style choice change the way you saw the main character’s motives?

How did the video make you feel about men you know in your everyday life?