In spite of all the persecution they’ve suffered, women continue to have an inherent resilience that’s of great importance to our sad, sick world.
Film is one of the most powerful creative arts. In this arena, we can see the same pattern of persecution followed by a rebounding strength:
From Wikipedia: Women’s cinema “Alice Guy-Blaché made the very first feature film La fée aux choux in 1896.”
From Traction: 2007 Celluloid Ceiling Report “Women accounted for 6% of directors in 2007, a decline of one percentage point since 2006. This figure is almost half the percentage of women directors working in 2000 when women accounted for 11% of all directors.”
From Women In The Director’s Chair: Film & Entertainment Industry Facts “There are 39 film festivals solely dedicated to showing the work of women directors throughout the world.”
I want to introduce you to two short films made by young women—resilient, potent, strong women.
As a man, I’ve learned to realize the critical importance of women, not just in film but in all walks of life, from being the first educators of children to being the leaders of a new culture of fairness and justice.
So, without further ado, Indymedia Presents, in cooperation with OurMedia and ReelGrrls, Two Films: one serious, one shocking.
“The progress of humanity depends on men and women working together; therefore, both must be equally developed. Women, given equal opportunities for education, have already proven to be the equals of men in intellectual and creative capacity. Men must encourage and facilitate the full development of women, as women must support men in their development towards this new condition of society.”
Bahá’í International Community, 1993 Mar 15, Women and the Peace Process
Here’s the full document, written to the 37th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Let’s have a conversation !
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Our Evolution 
Boy, Alex, you have some potent posts here. I’ve been reading old posts and some of the comments by Catherine, Kem and you and a few others. Fascinating. Some great discussion you’re getting here.
I really enjoyed this comment of yours: “As a man, I’ve learned to realize the critical importance of women, not just in film but in all walks of life, from being the first educators of children to being the leaders of a new culture of fairness and justice.”
What I find interesting is that many of the men I know, good men, are telling me the same thing…well, variations of it. Some are saying that they are just starting to relize (in midlife) that they badly need the input of women’s thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. Some have told me they feel there has been an imbalance which has not only horribly repressed woman but in the process of repressing women has repressed aspects of men.
It goes back to Kem and Catherine’s comments on war and gain, etc. Gain achieved at the cost of others maybe isn’t true gain. It may appear like gain but may not be.
I guess it’s a matter of defining “gain”. As well as making a distinction between gain that is greed/instant gratification and gain that may be real growth and healing of the soul.
Thank you Alex.
Hugs,
Robin
Dear Robin,
Just your presence on my blog is a blessing (btw, I’m a man who prides himself on never giving hollow praise…).
Thanks for mentioning the “conversation”! Many of my efforts go to creating relationships with people online so, if they visit the blog, they’ll feel at home and encouraged to comment. I’ve read a number of articles on the fear people have about commenting . . .
Catherine and Kem are jewels!
Women? Certainly not trite to say that no man can create life without a woman (even on the purely medical level…). But, women *have* created life without a man…
Sounds like you enjoy watching Oprah…
Alex – Thanks for this excellent post. You put me in mind of a wonderful documentary – I believe it’s called Women Who Made the Movies. I saw this on PBS several years ago. It’s about the early days of cinema through the post war years and points out that the art of making dramatic films was pioneered by women. In the very early days, movies were regarded as a hobby, not a serious industry. So men left the field to women, who proceeded to generate dozens of inventive and interesting movies. As commercial possibilities became more evident, men came into the field and took it over, gradually pushing women out. The documentary profiles 8 or 10 women directors who had a major influence on development of the new medium. Chronologically, I believe, the last profile covers Ida Lupino, who was both a star and a director. Your piece brings out some of the latest data, and it’s really shocking how the role of women seems to have been steadily declining in this industry – which is so important in shaping perceptions of women.
John
Cooperation, equality and compassion direct us toward love. If everyone chose to love everything about everyone, regardless of gender, the differences would not be noticed.
Jeff,
Actually, I don’t watch Oprah. In spite of her support for strong women, she still strikes me as too “mainstream”…
Liara,
How shall we implement these wise directives?
John,
Thanks for the heads up on that documentary!
And, thanks for the encouraging me in my quest!!
amzolt, it is prudent to follow the view of Gandhi who said; “choose to become the changes you wish to see.” It is not a matter of convincing other people to change. Rather, it is an issue of choosing to change your perception from the inside out, resiting comparing and judging and raising awareness to where you sense and act based on soul love.
I completely agree with Liara on this one – the line from Gandhi has been, is and I know will be a guiding beacon for many to come. I know I reflect upon it often, especially when I look around and don’t like what I see, I just think, it all starts with one person. I may not be able to change the world, but I can change myself.
Liara & Evita,
I have changed myself, over many years, to become a positive catalyst for increased awareness–a bellwether for social responsibility.