At Cannes, It"s "Year of Women." Just This Year?, the Women Ask

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This year’s Cannes Film Festival has been dubbed the “Year of the Women” for its focus on female issues and filmmakers, but many of the women in question seem keen to fight back against the label.

 

The festival on France’s south coast – like the wider film industry that feeds it – has a reputation for male domination, so there was some relief that this year’s official selection opened things up a bit.

 

A female director, Emmanuelle Bercot, opened the festival for only the second time in its history and Agnes Varda will be the first female recipient of the honorary lifetime achievement award.

 

The competition includes two women directors where often there are none, and the most critically lauded entry so far – Carol starring a lavishly praised Cate Blanchett – focuses on repressed lesbian love.

 

Even the action films – Mad Max: Fury Road and drug war thriller Sicario — have female leads in the form of Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt.

 

Despite all this, the women in question have pushed back against the idea they should feel grateful for the supposed largesse.

 

“They say it’s the ‘year of the women’”, said Cate Blanchett at a press conference. “You hope it’s not just a year – not just some fashionable moment.”

 

Emmanuelle outright rejected the idea that the choice of her film as festival opener was some sort of victory for female empowerment.

 

“It’s the selection of the film that’s an honour,” she said. “I don’t feel I’ve been a given a gift because such a prestigious slot went to a woman.”

 

Complete imbalance

To make matters worse, the festival’s supposed embracing of females was undermined by claims on Tuesday that women were being turned away from the red carpet for not wearing high heels.

 

Emily said the reports were “very disappointing… everyone should wear flats to be honest.” She went on to criticise the obsession of reporters with her “tough” characters. (Also Read: Cannes Festival Organisers Apologise But Women Are Still Complaining of Flat Shoe Ban)

 

“I get asked a lot about playing tough female roles, but I don’t really see them as tough,” said the British actress. “There are plenty of strong women out there and I don’t think they can be compartmentalised as one thing – oh, you’re tough. Why? Because I have a gun?”

 

Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, who has been all over the seaside Croisette promoting her directorial debut A Tale of Love and Darkness this week, said women-led productions were still being written off as “vanity projects”. (Also Read: Shabana Azmi ‘Shocked’ by Reported Ban on Flats at Cannes)

 

“I remember as a kid when Barbra Streisand would make movies that she was in and people would say, ‘oh it’s vanity, it’s a vanity thing’,” said Natalie, criticising the “completely imbalanced” industry that means women direct only a tiny fraction of Hollywood pictures.

 

A talk about gender on the sidelines of the festival opened with the statistic that only 4.6 per cent of US studio films were directed by women last year, and not one Oscar best picture nominee featured a female protagonist.

 

Speaking at the talk, Salma Hayek argued real change would come not from token gestures at festivals but from a realisation that women can bring in the bucks.

 

“The only thing we can do is show them we are an economic force,” said the Mexican actress and producer.

 

“Nothing else will move them. The minute they see money, things will be instantaneously different.”

 

That shift is already happening. In the industry marketplace that runs alongside the festival, sales have been increasingly focused on women viewers this year.

 

“It used to be all about action-driven things with a male demographic, the Stallone-Schwarzenegger type movie,” said Scott Roxborough, a journalist with The Hollywood Reporter.

 

“Everyone now is trying to get women on board to try to appeal to a female audience and not just grab teenage boys. Teenage boys don’t go to movies – they either watch them on the Internet or play video games,” he said.

 

Cate said she was exasperated that this discussion was still happening in 2015. “I want it to not be discussed anymore,” she told Variety. “But it needs to be discussed.”

 

Categories: cate blanchett, female, festival, nbsp, teenage boys, Women, year

Older Women Are Having More Sex Than Younger Ones

Middle aged women are often thought to be beyond their sexual prime, but a recent study has shown that the sexual wellness and wellbeing of this age group is likely to far exceed that of younger women. Those who are sexually active during middle age are also likely to keep having sex as they get older, even if they have been diagnosed with some form of sexual dysfunction.

 

Based at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, the team of researchers looked at data from a group of 602 women aged between 40 and 65 which reported on their sex lives, how sexually active they were and how important they felt sex was to their lives.

 

The lead author of the study, Dr. Holly Thomas, said that there was a popular preconception in the public that when women get older, sex becomes less important, and also that women stop having sex as they get older. Based on the study, it appears that most women continue to have sex during middle age.

 

Sexual dysfunction is a label that is frequently applied to women in this age group, but doctors and psychologists have long debated how useful it is to use this label at all. There is a test called the Female Sexual Function Index which is meant to test women’s sexual problems. There are 19 questions in the test, centring around orgasm, arousal, vaginal lubrication and any pain felt during sex.

 

As part of the recent study, the middle aged women who were sexually active took the test and then took it again four years later. Over 85 percent of the women who reported that they were sexually active when they first took the test, were still sexually active when they took the test again the second time.

Categories: age group, aged women, Dysfunction, female, middle age, Middle-Aged, sexual, sexual dysfunction, sexually active, Test, Women

Women Can Get Sexual Dysfunction Too: The Truth

Sexual wellness and wellbeing, and sexuality, is a very complex area of behaviour and health. There are various systems that coordinate our sexual health, such as the vascular system, nervous system and endocrine system, as well as various others. It is also very closely related to life experiences, and to social and cultural beliefs. Unlike many aspects of our makeup, sexuality also changes as we get older.

 

Your sexual wellness can be affected by the relationships in your life, and the things that specific partners bring to a sexual relationship. As it is such a complex process, sexual wellness can be affected by many different things, and disturbances in so many areas of the life or body can lead to sexual dysfunction.

 

Male sexual dysfunction is often focused on, but in recent years, the idea of female sexual dysfunction has come to the fore. This is largely because of increased awareness, and an increasing age of menopause in women, too.

 

The sexual problems that are coming to light are not new. In fact, thousands of years ago, the Chinese Taoists believed that if women had a healthy sexual lifestyle, they could minimise illness and lead a good, healthy life. Thus, some Taoists believed in the importance of cultivating good sexual health and sexual habits. The famous Taoist book, ‘The Tao of Sex’ addresses various sexual health issues, including specific sexual positions to use and the way that we can use various herbs to treat sexual dysfunction.

 

There are various sexual dysfunctions that can occur in women, such as problems with desire, problems with arousal, problems achieving an orgasm and issues causing pain during sex. These issues frequently overlap, too, so you will find that if women are suffering from one, they may be suffering from one or two others as well.

 

Categories: Dysfunction, dysfunction nbsp, female, nbsp, sexual, sexual dysfunction, sexual health, Sexual Wellness, taoists believed, Women

Five Fantasies Your Partner Wants You to Make a Reality

If you think your partner doesn’t fantasise about sex as much as you do, think again; women have all kinds of saucy fantasies – some of which you’d never have even thought of. So if you want to give your partner’s sexual wellbeing a boost – as well as your own – why not suggest turning some of these top female fantasies into reality?

 

1. She Dominates You: According to Sexual Health and Wellness Writer Isabella Snow, ‘Women love a big strong man who can sweep them off their feet and carry them into the sunset – but you may be surprised to learn that one of the top female sex fantasies is to have that same big strong man begging for sexual release in the bedroom. The entire scenario revolves around you worshipping her body and begging for her attention. Why? She gets to be in control while enjoying total devotion from her man in the process.’

 

2. You Dominate Her: ‘The advent of the metrosexual is most commonly blamed for this top 10 female sex fantasy,’ says Snow. ‘It seems that, in many cases, modern, independent women actually prefer real men who aren’t afraid to embrace their testosterone. This woman fantasizes about you pinning her down and thrusting her thighs apart with your knee. She wants to feel your fingers snake through her hair and pull her head back; she wants to feel your teeth on her shoulder; she wants to be owned – if only while in the bedroom (after which, she’ll want a clear return to equality). This win-win female sex fantasy scenario allows her to fully indulge her femininity, while still espousing the merits of feminism.’

 

3. Teacher/Student: Snow comments, ‘You’ll be thrilled to know that the Britney Spears fantasy isn’t just for men: Women love the idea of dressing up like a schoolgirl and parading about for your viewing pleasure. Many would even like to take it a step further, playing the naughty tart who won’t stop teasing you until you pull her over your knee and give her the spanking she craves. That’s right: Loads and loads of grown women fantasise about getting a proper spanking from their man. A spanking from you is exciting for two reasons: Not only does this mild show of dominance hurt so good, but it also usually leads straight into hot, hot sex.’

 

4. Sex With A Stranger: ‘Most women wouldn’t have the chutzpah to act out this fantasy, but you’d better believe that most have thoroughly enjoyed thinking about it,’ Snow asserts. ‘No-strings-attached sex is something many women would love to experience, but most are dissuaded from it thanks to a lofty load of self-produced guilt. Nevertheless, her libido definitely gets fired up at the idea of a gorgeous male approaching her in a dark, smoky bar and taking her back to his room for a long, hot night of wild sex. This female sex fantasy appeals to her naughtiest side – the kinky one that rarely sees the light of day.’

 

5. Voyeurism: Snow notes, ‘If you think women don’t enjoy watching other people get it on, you’re completely mistaken. Your woman likes to watch for the same reasons as you do: It’s erotic, exhilarating and slightly taboo. She may fantasise about peeping through the neighbour’s bedroom window, spying on a kinky couple in the park or even catching a full-on orgy from the sidelines. Believe it when we tell you she enjoys “watching” just as much as you do; it allows to her be naughty without getting her hands dirty, so to speak.’

Categories: fantasy, female, female sex, nbsp, sex fantasy, sexual fantasies, snow, strong man, voyeurism, Women

What Do Women Want? Surprising Female Turn-Ons

Female desire may just be the most mysterious aspect of sexuality for some people, but it’s no surprise with some turn-ons being as complex as they are! There have been many studies into female sexuality and the ways in which it can be heightened, from sex toys to female viagra. Here are some of the more unusual turn-ons that women reveal really gets them going, why and how you can relate them to your own sex lives.

The Beach

For some women, memories evoke a really strong sexual feeling. Kori claims that hitting the beach is the best way to get her in the mood, with memories of hitting the short as a summer when she was younger. Now, as an adult, the salty smell of the air and the brisk air gets her excited by the concept of sex with her husband! Think back to occasions when you’ve been with your partner in locations other than your home and try to recreate some of those memories, from scent to touch or taste – perhaps it was a romantic meal or a particular scent that you remember. Senses are evocative and can help put you back in that frame of mind you were in all that time ago, increasing your arousal and the sensuality in your sex life.

Wild, wild west

Seeing your partner in a new light can be a massive turn-on, and for some women the idea of seeing a man in uniform is a great lead up to sex. Suzanne describes one such occasion when her and her husband visited a photographer in an Old West photography session. In true Old West-style, they dressed up in costumes harking back to the 19th century, including the cowboy hat. The smouldering look on his face and the sexy costume helped Suzanne see her husband in a whole new light, which she found a turn-on. It could be something that you may find helpful to add to your own relationship – costumes and role play can help you both find sex more interesting and can increase your confidence in playing a different role for the night.

Body Types

Never ignore the pleasure of touch and its importance in your sex life. For many women, touch is the very thing which gets them in the mood for sex, particularly when the shape and feel of their body is concerned. Feeling your partner’s body and the curves of his shape is a great precursor to sex and can get you both in the mood. Make some time to really get to know your partner’s body and the way it feels – don’t make it sexual immediately, but rather spend some time paying attention to what your partner’s skin and hair feels like. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes to the level of intimacy and passion in your relationship and sex life.

Playing hardball

Showing off your masculine side is a real turn-on for most women and something that’s often overlooked if you’re trying to get in the mood. Joy remembers a man she once dated that worked as a car salesman. When he got worked up negotiating, she found it really arousing that he was showing a more authoritative and masculine side to his personality.As stereotypical as it may be, sometimes falling into those classic personality traits can be great for your sex life – it creates an erotic ambience which feeds into increasing your libido and desire for sex.

Categories: arousal, female, life, partner, sex life, turn, turn-ons, Women

The Female Orgasm & its Importance to Human Race

The question regarding female orgasms and their necessity in the process of evolution is one which has been asked many times. And for many people, the concept of questioning it seemed mildly unnecessary in itself – they’re worthwhile to women so who cares about their necessity for the human race? But the topic is a tough one to explore from an evolutionary standpoint. Many biologists do suggest that male non-human primates experience something similar to intercourse, usually judging from a marked change in their body language during ejaculation. So the rationale behind the male orgasm is obvious. For men, orgasm and ejaculation go hand in hand, and with such pleasure preceding the ejaculation, a man is effectively encouraged to spread his seed. A man who experiences orgasm through ejaculation is far more likely to put extra effort into finding sexual partners, than men who ejaculate without any accompanying pleasure. But the physical process of the female orgasm is altogether different. In women, the orgasm isn’t connected to the release of an egg into the uterus, and women can only get pregnant once in any given period of time, so the number of partners is less of an issue in terms of the evolution of a species and its survival.

So why is the orgasm a part of the female sexual experience? It may well be a part of evolutionary adaptation, or it may just be a lucky break. But if it’s down to evolution, what is it offering in terms of survival of a species? Men and women experience very similar physiological changes during orgasm, which usually lasts around a minute. In both sexes, the rectum contracts at intervals of around 0.8 seconds, where lots of muscles in other areas of the body also spasm. There are a number of chemicals which are released at this time, from serotonin to oxytocin. In women, the muscles in the vagina and uterus contract too. These contractions are the basis for one of the evolutionary explanations of the female orgasm – known as the sperm retention theory. Many researchers hypothesise that when the vagina contracts, it is aiming to retain more sperm, to increase the likelihood of getting pregnant. Another theory in keeping with this idea is that orgasm tires a woman out, causing her to lie on her back after sex – it is during this time, researchers say, that more sperm can stay within the body and make its way towards the egg.

 

Currently, the big theory is that women have orgasms for no reason at all – there is no adaptation, it’s simply a wonderful accident which stems from the initial phase of foetal development. This was a popular theory in the ‘70s and has recently seen a revival. In the initial development hypothesis, women simply have orgasms because men do. In the early stages of development within the uterus, the foetus isn’t gendered, and the hormones which determine the gender haven’t yet kicked in. So when the gender is decided, it still has the nerve pathways that create the orgasm. But if this theory is correct, what does that mean for the state of the orgasm in women? If it’s not vital for survival of the species, will it be phased out? What we can determine is that there is still a long way to go before we know the real reason for the female orgasm – its cryptic purpose still baffles researchers to this day.

Categories: Ejaculation, evolution, female, female orgasm, orgasm, Sex, theory, Women

What Everyone Ought to Know About The Clitoris

The clitoris is one of the biggest mysteries about female sexuality and sexual wellbeing. This virtually invisible organ is the root of female sexual wellness, and has become a topic of much discussion in some circles, with many jokes being made about whether or not men are able to find it.

 

Writers have even written about the clitoris at length, with some even compiling ‘natural laws’ that challenge all previous beliefs about the clitoris, virginity, sex, orgasms and more. There are many little-known and quite fascinating facts about the clitoris. You can read on to educate yourself (but perhaps don’t use these as conversation starters at any dinner parties).

 

For example, did you know that it wasn’t until 1990 that researchers used an MRI scan to study the sexual function and internal structure of the clitoris, and it was as recently as 1998 that a urologist called Helen O’Connell first published her findings on the true size and scope of the female clitoris?

 

Also, did you know that there are 8,000 nerve endings in the clitoris, which is double the amount of nerve endings that can be found on the head of a penis? The clitoris is also the only organ that exists in the human body (both male and female) that exists solely for the purposes of providing pleasure (as, of course, the penis is used in urination, too).

 

Women’s clitorises can change in size throughout their life – and actually becomes four times larger. When a woman is in her mid-thirties, her clitoris is about four times bigger than it was when she was at the start of puberty.

 

Although it seems quite small, the average clitoris is around four inches long, with most of that being hidden inside the body.

Categories: clitoris, endings, female, nbsp, nerve endings, orgasm, Sex, sexual

Do You Know Everything You Should About the Female Orgasm?

You may feel at your most sexual when slinking around in a pair of glamorous high heels, but did you know that this simple item of clothing could actually have a damaging effect on your wellness and wellbeing?

 

A recent study has revealed that many different little-known facts about female sexuality. For example, did you know that women can get pregnant a full eight days after they last have sex? Sperm live for a long time, so can hang around and be ready to pounce on the egg as soon as it is released.

 

Another factoid that was revealed was that sitting down for too long can actually dampen women’s ability to orgasm, and that orgasms can make women more creative. Being well hydrated can improve orgasms too, and birth control pills can dampen them. The research showed that birth control pills not only dampen libido but also reduce sensitivity in the nerve endings around the vagina.

 

Despite the wealth of information that is coming to light about female sexuality, the female orgasm is still something that many men and women struggle to achieve. The important thing to bear in mind is that what works with one woman may not work with another, as every woman is unique. The one thing that all women have in common is that they work on a very cerebral level, and that the best way to stimulate a woman is through her mind.

 

The female G Spot is also something that you could explore together, on the path to finding a better orgasm. This is an area located on the back vaginal wall, which may be part of the clitoris and can be quite erotic for some women.

 

For many women, the clitoris is the most important part of vaginal intercourse and stimulation of it is the best way to help a woman reach orgasm.

Categories: Birth Control, control pills, female, female orgasm, female sexuality, nbsp, orgasm, Sex, woman, Women

Is the Gym the New Place for a Female Orgasm?

According to a new study, women no longer need to find a man, a vibratory or a new masturbation technique to find the elusive female orgasm – all they need to do is head to the gym! This new research has found that the new place for sexual pleasure may not be an expected one, but that the findings add to data that has been largely unstudied over the years. The phenomenon was first discovered in 1953, with research showing that around five per cent of women who were interviewed stated that they had had an orgasm linked to exercise. However, they couldn’t know the exact prevalence because because most of these women volunteered the information without being asked directly. Labelled ‘coregasms’, named as such because of the connection between orgasms and exercises for core abdominal muscles, these rumours have been circulating in the media for many years. However, despite this attention from the media, little is known about this connection in a scientific manner. Researchers used surveys to gather data surrounding this issue from 124 women who has experienced exercise-induced orgasms and 246 women who has reported exercise-induced sexual pleasure. Most of the women, who had an average age of 30, were in a relationship or married. Of the women, 69 per cent of the participants were heterosexual.

Researchers found that around 40 per cent of both groups of women has experienced this phenomenon on more than 11 occasions throughout their lives, and those in the orgasm group said that they felt some sort of embarrassment when exercising in public places in case it happened again. Most of the women spoken to said that they weren’t having a sexual fantasy or thinking about someone they’re attracted to. Around 45 per cent of the women in the study said that their experience was linked to abdominal exercises; 19 per cent said it was linked to biking or spinning; 9.3 per cent was linked to climbing poles or ropes; 7 per cent was connected to weight lifting; 7 per cent to running; the rest of the experiences included a variety of other exercises, such as yoga, swimming and elliptical machines. Exercise-induced orgasms were linked to more types of exercise than the orgasm phenomenon, according to the study.

This research offers up a variety of implications regarding female sexuality. Firstly, orgasm and sexual desire have topped the list of women’s sex concerns, with around one out of every four women not reaching orgasms during sex. But this research could suggest that physical exercise may have been overlooked in clinical approaches to the female orgasm.  Secondly, scientists have been debating the evolutionary context of the female orgasm and it’s connection to sexuality and reproduction. However, if women are experiencing orgasms in situations not connected to sex, then this study could well provide details of what the orgasm does and doesn’t have to do with sex and reproduction. Exercise-induced orgasms could be one way for scientists and women in general to learn about the process of orgasm. Researchers stated that this information could well help women to learn more about how their bodies work in that regard, which could help them develop more satisfying sex lives. Either way, this information is new and exciting to researchers who have now found more data to help them understand the female orgasm. For so many women, who find reaching orgasm difficult, this study could offer real hope into better understanding from a scientific perspective.

Categories: cent, exercise, exercise induced, female, female orgasm, induced orgasms, orgasm, Orgasms, Sex, sexual pleasure, Women

What Everyone Ought to Know About Being Transgender

Transgender and Trans are terms that are used for people whose sexual identification is not in line with the traditional ideas of male and female. Your wellness and wellbeing can be greatly linked to how you view your own sexuality.

 

The term ‘trans’ embraces a variety of different types of sexuality, including transvestites. Transvestites are people who like to wear clothing of the opposite sex and occasionally pose as a member of the opposite sex, but they do not want to live full time as someone as the opposite sex. Trans can also mean people who feel that they are neither male nor female, or people who feel that they are both male and female. It can also encompass drag queens or kings and other people who don’t appear to show conventional characteristics of masculinity or femininity.

 

Transsexuals can also come under the category of ‘trans’. These are people who have a strong and ongoing to desire to live and to be accepted as a member of the opposite gender to the one that they were born with. Many of these transsexual people go through treatment such as gender realignment surgery and hormone therapy.

 

Trans people often have a complex idea of their own identity, and their idea of their gender may also change over time. They may start, for example, by simply cross dressing occasionally and then later on in life they may decide that they want to live full time as a member of the opposite sex. This process is called transitioning. Trans is also not always a popular term – many people who decide that they want to live full time as the opposite sex do not wish to be referred to as ‘trans’ but simply as a man or a woman.

Categories: female, live, people, time, trans, transgender, transvestite

Right Work-Life Balance Key for Women’s Success in UAE

Women who are successful in business have usually achieved the right work-life balance. Delegates at a conference hosted by the Dubai Women Establishment were told that the most successful female entrepreneurs are those who are able to juggle work and home, while also setting aside time for themselves.

The conference attracted more than a dozen women from the Emirates who are now successful entrepreneurs in several different fields.

Their message was that women can’t neglect their home life when they are focused on their career. However, the key to getting the right work-life balance is to meet all the different demands but not at the cost of a lack of social life or diminished wellbeing.

The conference heard that Emirati men need the support of their male partners if they are to achieve their goals but this is a problem in the Emirates because of the inequality in society between men and women.

Noura Ahmad Al Noman is the director general at the executive office of Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of one of the rulers of the Emirates and a prominent supporter of social development in the UAE. Al Noman told delegates that too many women had to take on all of the responsibilities of the family and work at the same time while their menfolk ignored anything to do with the home.

However, the conference also heard that more businesses and organisations in the UAE are now paying attention to their female workforce with nurseries and daycare facilities now being provided at an increasing number, freeing up women to go to work knowing their children are being cared for. Hospitals, with their large numbers of female staff, are leading the way in providing childcare.

The conference heard calls for better maternity leave and increased leave for mothers to care for sick children.

Right Work-Life Balance Key for Women’s Success in UAE

Categories: al noman, conference, conference heard, female, female entrepreneurs, life, life balance, Support, Women, work, work life, Work-Life Balance