Day two of South by Southwest was a wonderfully chaotic blur. With at least double the attendees since Friday and dozens of new panels, the excitement was practically tangible. My own excitement was fueled by the knowledge that the day had finally come when I would witness one of my life-long role models, internationally renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour, speak in-person.
From my second row seat, pen and paper in lap and camera at the ready, I prepared myself for the moment Amanpour and co-panelist Kara Swisher of Vox Media took the stage. Swisher warmed up the audience by coyly joking with Amanpour about the topic of sex before segueing the conversation into questions about Amanpour’s new series Sex & Love Around the World. The CNN expert of 35 years admitted the idea for this series came to her one morning while brushing her teeth and listening to a podcast about Syrian refugees. She wondered to herself how women in these dire situations are coping with sex and love.
“How do they maintain family life, marriage, sexual relations, love, intimacy, privacy in their flimsy tents and metal containers?” Amanpour said
This is a topic she had yet to cover in her more than 25 years as an international correspondent. Amanpour said after spending so much of her career focusing on the devastation of war and humanitarian crises, she was inspired to take a different perspective on the human experience.
Amanpour then took the audience through a few of the most diverse countries she visited in her journey to discover more about sex and love around the world. Berlin, for example, is known as the sex capital of Europe and has a large BDSM community.
“I had to pretend not to feel really awkward when ropes were thrown around me while interviewing the king of bondage,” Amanpour recalled.
She also shared her experiences interviewing couples in India who did not fit the typically arranged marriage culture.
“In India, who knew, there is a flourishing kinky sector as well, but most importantly they wanted to be absolutely clear that it was all about consent.”
Amanpour also pointed out that women in India and several Muslim countries are pioneering the tech industry. In Saudia Arabia and Iran, 38% of women are working in tech, in comparison to only 30% of women in the U.S.
“The series is also about how women, wherever I went, are grabbing their rights,” Amanpour said.
Perhaps the most surprising cultural differences Amanpour experienced were in Lebanon. She discussed the contradictory significance of virginity, particularly in Muslim cultures.
“There’s even a thriving business of hymenoplasty that helps women appear as virgins on their wedding nights.”
Another perspective Amanpour hopes to tackle in the future is that of young men and boys because they are a key component to our fight for equality.
“We as women are not going to lead fully satisfied lives unless men are on our side.”
It was during her work on Sex & Love Around the World, Amanpour learned of the Harvey Weinstein allegations and the spark of #MeToo. She feels the #MeToo movement has been quietly happening around the world for years and is finally coming to light in the United States with a vehemently powerful force.
“The backlash is not as bad as the momentum moving forward. We have to take our destiny into our own hands.”
Swisher asked Amanpour about her perspectives on “fake news.” While Amanpour argued the public should hold themselves accountable for what they consume, she also believes serious changes need to be made within our current media platforms.
“Truth and lies are the only things that separate us from democracy and dictatorship.”
In a closing note on her 35 years at CNN, Amanpour said she is honored to be in a place that continually provides its audience with the truth.
“I think people look at us and know that they’re going to get the facts, they’re going to get the news and this is a major important piece of currency.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Find out more information on Christiane Amanpour’s new series Sex & Love Around the World here.