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The Mask You Live In
Rethinking masculinity
Boys and young men explore what it means to be themselves in a culture with a narrow definition of masculinity.
Ways to watchBring this film to your communityThe Mask You Live In
Watch on YouTubeSYNOPSIS
The Mask You Live In
The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.
Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become “real” men.
Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the “boy crisis” and tactics to combat it.
The Mask You Live In ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.
The Issue
Research shows that compared to girls, boys in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, fail out of school, binge drink, commit a violent crime, and/or take their own lives.
Original film resource graphics. Statistics reflect the source materials at the time of publication.
RATINGS
Common Sense Media
“A deeply affecting documentary about how boys are directed to grow up to be ‘men’ — and what it really means to be a man in today’s society.”
Read the Common Sense Media reviewFrequently asked questions
HOW LONG IS THE FILM?
The Mask You Live In: The full-length feature runs 90 minutes. There is a youth-version film that is 87 minutes available for K-12 schools. A 60-minute classroom-length version is available with our annual streaming subscription. Shorter video modules (5-15 minutes) accompany the educational curriculum (included in school and workshop licenses).
IS THE FULL-LENGTH FILM APPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG VIEWERS? WHAT IS THE FILM RATED?
The Mask You Live In deals with mature topics (such as sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol). Common Sense Media recommends the film for ages 15 and older. We also offer an educational curriculum that includes a youth version of the film, age-appropriate learning modules, and supplemental film clips. The youth version of the film is appropriate for middle school (13 years old+). The learning modules and film clips are suitable for all ages, including younger audiences (kindergarten-5th, middle school, and high school).
ARE NON-ENGLISH SUBTITLES AVAILABLE?
The Mask You Live In has subtitles available in Spanish, Czech, Arabic, Serbian, Norwegian, Italian, Bulgarian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Russian, Swedish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Portuguese through our annual streaming subscription license. We can provide subtitles for community screenings upon request.
IS THE FILM CLOSED CAPTIONED?
The DVD containing the feature film and youth version, as well as our Annual Streaming Subscription, are all closed-captioned. We can also provide closed captions for virtual screenings upon request.
CAN I HOST A SCREENING OF THE FILM?
Yes, absolutely! A license is required to screen our films in any setting outside of your home. We offer a variety of licensing options for schools, community organizations, government agencies, corporations, and more!
CAN I GET A RECEIPT FOR MY PURCHASE?
You will be emailed a receipt along with an order confirmation after you place your order.
DO YOU ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDERS?
Do you need to pay with a purchase order, be invoiced, and send a check? If so, you can choose Purchase Order as a payment option during your online checkout.
WHERE CAN I FIND A W9?
Email us at sales@therepproject.org.
HOW WILL THE CURRICULUM AND SCREENING LICENSES BE DELIVERED?
The curriculum and screening licenses are either available to download in your purchase confirmation email or they will be emailed as digital files.
WHAT CONTENT IS ON THE EDUCATIONAL DVD?
The The Mask You Live In Educational DVD includes two discs: the 90-minute feature, an 87-minute youth edition, and curriculum clips for elementary, middle, and high school students.
CAN I PREVIEW THE CURRICULUM BEFORE BUYING A LICENSE?
The The Mask You Live In curriculum pairs K-12 video clips with lessons, activities, and resources. A separate discussion guide supports university audiences after watching the full film. Preview the curriculum.
Need help planning? Contact our distribution team.
BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Bring The Mask You Live In to your classroom, nonprofit or corporation.
For schools, nonprofits, community organizations and corporations, learn more about our screening licenses available here.
Home Viewing
Corporate Screenings
Work at a company where you’d like to expose co-workers and corporate leadership to our films? The Representation Project partners with companies all over the world to host screenings of our films and help guide meaningful conversations around gender stereotypes. For more information and pricing, contact sales@therepproject.org.