Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros., Screenshots from Facebook
There is a new movie coming out about Wonder Woman, a cartoon character who was created in the early 20th Century. This film is part of the super popular DC Extended Universe franchise, though it is the first to feature a female hero outside of an ensemble cast—and not just any female hero, but one who many people feel represents women's liberation and empowerment.One theater chain, the Alamo Drafthouse, even decided to honor the feminist nature of Wonder Woman by planning a women-only screening at their Austin location. Even the projectionist will be a woman, according to a press release from the company.
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This fine and mildly interesting news became allegedly controversial when it attracted the notice of men, who promptly and vociferously began to complain about it. "Have you ever hosted a men's only showing of any film?" one foolish man commented on the Alamo Drafthouse Austin Facebook page."We've never done showings where you had to be a man to get in, but we *did* show the Entourage movie a few years ago," the cinema replied.The theater has responded to the criticism by doubling down on their interest in providing a space for women to watch fun movies free from the scourge of men. "We will be expanding this program across the country and inviting women everywhere to join us as we celebrate this iconic superheroine in our theaters," the company stated after the backlash began.Undeterred, men have continued to express their opinions on social media about why it's not fair for women to go watch Wonder Woman without men. "Does this mean Drafthouse will have a men's only screening of Man of Steel or The Terminator?" said one lost and confused gentleman. The Drafthouse responded simply, "No!"When another foolish man complained that a male-only event would never be "approved" by social justice warriors, the Drafthouse responded, "We're actually still waiting on our SJW certification of this event, but crossing our fingers!" By far the best critique came from a man who questioned the Alamo Drafthouse about the upcoming horror film IT, based on Stephen King's iconic novel about a demonic clown that kills children. "Would ever consider a special screening for IT that's only for those who identify as clowns?" the man asked, thinking he had proved a point. Yes, the theater responded, they just might.Read more: Men at Play: Photos of the Guys of Comic Con
"We are very excited to present select, women-only Wonder Woman screenings at Alamo Drafthouse," said Morgan Hendrix, Alamo Drafthouse creative manager, in an email to Broadly. Select locations will be donating proceeds from ticket sales to charities that serve women's needs."That providing an experience where women truly reign supreme has incurred the wrath of trolls only serves to deepen our belief that we're doing something right," Hendrix added.