Over a year ago I had the pleasure of meeting Denice Ann Evans at Tufts University. She was there to screen her film Spitting Game, a documentary about college hookup culture. It was chock full of interesting interviews and information, and the students in attendance were very engaged in the Q&A session that followed. Students feel caught up in the peer pressure around hooking up, and if often feels like the only game in town. Watching the film provided a foundation for an important conversation, and allowed students to voice their real feelings about sex on campus.
However, what I’d really like to do is see Spitting Game shown to all parents of high school juniors as they embark upon the college search with their sons and daughters. I am constantly amazed to learn how ignorant parents are about what’s really happening on college campuses, particularly around drinking and sex. Although popular culture provides plenty of exposure to reality, parents often subscribe to a “not my kid” mentality, and blissfully embrace ignorance. Of course, the real tragedy of this is that it results in their children keeping secrets, afraid to communicate about what is really happening in their lives. I believe that good parenting in the 21st c. requires being willing to look at these issues honestly and without judgment.
Even after more than a year of blogging, there was plenty in this film that blew me away. Though I had seen the 35 minute educational version, this weekend I had to opportunity to view the feature-length DVD. It contained fascinating interviews with experts, and conversations with parents that were nothing short of shocking. Some of my favorite quotes:
When asked what they’re looking for when they go out at night, guys said:
“Penis in the vagina.”
“Hopefully, they’re good looking. Sometimes, hmmmm, you have to pick and choose.”
On binge drinking:
“This is not leisurely drinking a beer. You’re pounding beers faster than it’s hitting you.”
“I can drink twelve beers and I’m still fine. You start getting into that twenty range, and that’s what I consider binge drinking.”
“You can talk to so many more girls when you’re drunk.”
“If she says no, so what? Alcohol allows you to roll with the punches.”
“I was insecure. Am I pretty enough? Am I cool enough? Am I smart enough? Sometimes, if you got attention from a guy, you would just do it.”
“I told myself, ‘If I’m using him too, it’s OK. But it’s not the case. I was disrespected the entire time.’”
“Even though we say it’s a lot of girls, it’s a group that everybody knows. College is big, but there is a group of girls that everybody has been with.”
“A girl will say, ‘I don’t care if you hook up with anybody else. That’s not true. They always care, especially if they like you.’”
“Frats will help you out, saying ‘This girl is a slut, this girl is prudish, so if you can get with her you’re the man.’”
About the Filmmaker
Spitting Game: The College Hook Up Culture dares to open Pandora’s Box and takes a penetrating look inside the college hook up culture. This provocative film examines and challenges the status quo by highlighting the risks, reasons, and realities students face within the college hook up culture.
In her award winning documentary, writer/director, Denice Ann Evans interviews diverse groups of students, experts, and parents who speak openly about alcohol & other drugs, peer pressure, sexual assault, and consent. Not only is this film a dynamic force for eliciting significant conversations, but it also raises crucial questions on gender politics, health education issues, and the sexual ethics on college campuses today
Denice Ann Evans, CEO of J’Hue Film Productions, is the writer/director and producer of Spitting Game: The College Hook Up Culture. Her documentary has showcased at festivals throughout the U.S. and won “Best Social Awareness Documentary” at the 2009 Delray Beach Film Festival. She is also a mother of two, published author, national speaker, and graduate of Emory University where she received her degree in Creative Writing and Film, summa cum laude.
How You Can See It
1. Educational DVD’s are now available on Denice’s website www.collegehookupculture.com for the standard Institutional Rate. However, in honor of sexual assault awareness, during the month of April, you can redeem your “Fans of HUS” discount at the Home DVD price of $24.99. Please email Denice at jhuefilms@gmail.com for special pricing details.
2. If you’re in the Boston area, Denice will be screening the short version this Tuesday at Wheelock. I’ll be there!
Spitting Game: The College Hook Up Culture screening at Wheelock College on Tuesday, April 13, 2023 in the College Center from 4:00 PM to 6:00PM. Filmmaker, Denice Ann Evans will be in attendance for a Q&A immediately following the screening. Please contact Gail Dines for more information: Chair of American Studies, Professor (617) 879-2336 gdines@wheelock.edu.
3. The Director’s Cut feature length version was released July, 2010.
Please email Allyson Brown at jhuefilms@gmail.com for special pricing details or to be added to the mailing list for advance DVD copies of “The Director’s Cut” feature version of Spitting Game: The College Hook Up Culture.
