Hot Docs Review: ‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’ shows a woman determined to spread the truth
‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’ looks at the feminist sex researcher’s ground-breaking work, challenging conservative ideologies and being viewed as a threat to the male establishment.
In spite of it being a natural part of human existence, sexuality — particularly women’s sexuality — has always been somewhat of a taboo subject. Even in the context of procreation, people are hesitant to talk about sex in plain terms, turning to euphemisms and jokes to quell their anxiety. The discomfort grows when referencing it as recreational activity performed purely for pleasure — another concept at which many balk. Consequently, people who try to pull away the curtain and demystify various aspects of sex tend to meet a lot of undue opposition. The Disappearance of Shere Hite follows the career of a sex educator who took on the challenge.
Shere Hite was an American-born German. After earning a master’s degree in history, she attempted to get a Ph.D. in social history, but Columbia University proved too conservative to support her research. In the 1970s, she conducted part of her studies while at the National Organization for Women. Hite focussed on how individuals regarded sexual experience and the meaning it holds for them, particularly exploring female sexuality. She gained distinct attention in 1976 with the publication of The Hite Report on Female Sexuality, which anonymously surveyed thousands of women about intimate details, including orgasms and masturbation. It would appear the world was not ready for that much honesty.
The female orgasm has long been a sensitive subject, especially since it’s been tied to male prowess. Hite’s revelations that women could achieve stronger orgasms through masturbation and clitoral stimulation was more effective than thrusting intercourse was not received well – namely by men, who absurdly questioned their purpose if women were more adept at pleasuring themselves (even though the reverse has never been in doubt). Incredibly, that’s only one of the outlandish reactions to her reports. Throughout her career, Hite did the talk show circuit to share her findings with the widest possible audiences, but the ridicule and animosity she consistently encountered gradually became too much to bear.
The disbelief only escalated with the release of The Hite Report on Male Sexuality five years later, which anonymously surveyed thousands of men about sex, love, masturbation and adultery, resulting in more findings that created greater discomfort and enmity. The documentary traces the major events of Hite’s career, marking the importance of her many conclusions, particularly as they refuted earlier studies or questioned established norms, as well as the emotional toll constantly defending her work took as her challengers attacked not only the integrity of her research, but her personally. Hite was a remarkably intelligent woman that made massive inroads in discussions about women’s sexuality and anatomy, saying and publishing all the things many are still too afraid to share freely.
The Disappearance of Shere Hite had its international premiere in the Special Presentations programme at the Hot Docs Festival.
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Director: Nicole Newnham