Judy Davis told a very funny story about Germaine Greer. When My Brilliant Career came out, the movie which pretty much introduced Davis to the world, (wonderful flick by the way) – Judy Davis, because of the role she played, suddenly found herself thrust into “feminist-icon” land. Something she wasn’t interested in at all.
She describes being at some reception, and suddenly being attacked by this overly enthusiastic woman, who would not let Judy Davis get a word in edgewise, and who crowded Judy Davis’ personal space. Judy Davis had no idea who she was, but found out later that it was Germaine Greer. Greer pounced on the young actress Davis, took her by the arm, and led her around, parading her about to meet all her friends, talking about feminism, and what the film meant in the feminist canon, and etc.
Later, in some interview, when Davis was explaining what it was like to be in a movie which inadvertently turned you into some kind of symbol, Davis related that tale, of Germaine Greer trying to co-opt Judy Davis’ personal success success. “She’s ours, girls, she’s OURS.”
Davis said in the interview, when recounting the story, that the entire time this was going on, she was thinking helplessly, “Would someone please save me from this shrieking troll latched onto my arm?”
Reason # 382 why I love Judy Davis.
‘Shrieking troll’ is a very very good description.
There’s a good line in one of the other papers about Germaine Greer’s participation in Celebrity[sic] Big Brother.. “even her most ardent of supporters would have to admit she’s a shameless self-publicist”.. as your Judy Davis story also proves – as well as a “she’s OURS”, perhaps a little of “I’M declaring she’s OURS”.
This is also the same Germaine Greer who wrote of this self-same show, “Although the people who volunteer for reality shows may be exhibitionists, someone is pulling their strings”.
One other point that may be worth noting, or not, Brigitte Nielsen is probably the other equally/more* well-known participant in the same show… erm.. not that I’ve been watching it.. much.
(* delete as appropriate)
BTW Norm has linked to the second page of The Times article.. it begins here
Oh cool – thanks Pete. i couldn’t find it.
I just … Jesus, Germaine. Female orgasm is part of gender tyranny?
My mind is stunned into silence at a statement like that.
Oh, and I am SOOO out of touch with television. She’s on Celebrity Big Brother? That alone would be reason to get cable. too bad Judy Davis isn’t on it, too – so we could really watch the fur fly.
Pete – Still can’t get in. It’s still a registered page. Perhaps you have already registered and that is why it comes up for you?
Ah well.
Don’t think I have signed in to the Times recently, Sheila, but I’ll copy the article and email it to you.
The reaction to Germaine’s inclusion, as the article suggests, was a nation of jaws hitting the floor.. but it makes sense given the fact she’s a … there’s probably a contract already signed for a series of articles afterwards.
And if only it did turn into a fur-flying no-holds-barred punch-up.. it’s unlikely though. :(
Oh, and Peteb: Good point with the “I’M declaring she’s OURS” thing.
the missing quote in my previous post.. relating to that very point, Sheila.. was..
shameless self-publicist
I think Germaine is probably an interesting psychological study. I read part of some biography of her last year and she sounded kind of messed up. If I recall correctly, she lived in some kind of pro-sex commune for a while, and, despite this (or because of it?) was raped twice as a young woman.
Anne –
Yeah, very interesting. Reminds me a bit of Andrea Dworkin. Not the pro-sex part – but what a case study she is. I saw an interview on TV with Dworkin (who, as you can probably imagine, I not only despise, but actively can’t stand) – and thought to myself: “Wow. She’s … all … messed … UP …” i had had no idea (although I should have GUESSED from her rhetoric). I find her attitude to be not only disgusting, but dangerous – she’s the worst of that kind of fascists – I think she is a highly dangerous woman, so I’m not excusing her, but still – I saw the interview and felt like I was not looking at a grown adult. I was looking at a psychologically damaged 8 year old little girl. Too bad that damaged 8 year old was able to do so much damage. I still can’t stand her – but it was interesting to witness and contemplate her – as a case study.
Now Greer, apparently, is all about celibacy, and so she’s going about bitch-slapping the rest of us about stopping having sex. (Not a problem with the Sheil-ster at the moment, but still …)
Like – fine woman, okay, okay, but can’t you just make your own personal life choices without … making it into some “women should behave this way” dogma? Maybe I’m mis-reading Greer, but I don’t think so. I always feel like she’s haranguing the rest of us – But it’s always based merely on what SHE is up to, at that very moment.
Yeah, she can be celibate now, after sleeping with half of Australia and England. Funny how that works.
I once saw Germaine on some travel program, in which she went around the English countryside visiting interesting architectural and historical sights. And she was lively and very amusing, and quite sane down to earth. I think she missed her calling.
I’ve never paid much attention to Ms. Greer, but I have no doubt she is indeed a shrieking troll.
Judy Davis is, on the other hand, richly deserving of our ardor. It’s hard to imagine Judy suffering any fool lightly…
Judy Davis’ performance in Woody Allen’s Husbands and Wives is one of my favorite performances given by an actress at any time, any where, anyhow.
The most enduring memory I have of her is from The Ref, but I need to watch Husbands and Wives and A Passage to India again. She is a treasure…
Sheila
I realise that you’re trying to ignore Germaine.. but I have to tell you that the programme has [almost] the entire set of celebs in faux-medieval costume.. queen, princess, footman, etc.. Germaine has been designated ‘cook’ – I would describe the costume.. but this photo says it all
pete –
I swear to God. Looking at that photo … I felt the last shred of my sanity snap. Like … I can’t process that. Or ANY OF IT. At all.
I still can’t get over that Germaine Greer is even ON that show. I can’t let that knowledge into my brain.
It just seems too. freakin’. hysterical.
Well, you do realise that, until your post yesterday, I’d avoided getting sucked into the vortex.
Yeah, right. Come on, you know you’re addicted to it.
Brigitte Nielsen has been given the job of ‘The Queen’s dresser’.. designated duties include.. “warming the toilet seat for her Majesty”.. really.
It’s a bizarre and very surreal world they’ve created.. and, in my insanity, I’ve embraced it.
Still laughing, though. That picture IS a vortex. It’s sucking me in!!!
Uhm … are you taping all the episodes?
And can you send them to me?
Thanks.
Wait.. in the latest episode.. while “warming the toilet seat for her Majesty”.. and after a discussion about Elizabeth I (no pirates were mentioned)… Brigitte was heard singing.. “Sisters.. are doing it for themselves”
You are making this shit up.
Taping them?.. erm.. damn.. I have them seared, seared, in my memory, if that’s any good?
and no.. I wish I was making it up.
This show is one of the horsemen of the apocalypse, now I’m convinced.
It may even be all four, Sheila.
Oh dear god
The fourth horseman has just been added to the house..
Sylvester Stallone’s mother has joined them – Brigitte looks pleased to see her.
What are you – watching this on a webcam or something??
That was a live commentary from my well-equipped home office, Sheila.. working from home has other perks besides not having to worry about the ‘whether to poop-at-work?’ question.
Update – Germaine walks
ah well, it was fun while it lasted.