For the past year, revolutions swept across North Africa and the Middle East. Despite their vocal presence, the media didn’t initially display women’s involvement in the protests and negotiations. The same could be said in Afghanistan. It appeared the strides women made might be lost as women were shut out of the peace process. But … Continue reading
Category Archives: Films
‘Pray the Devil Back to Hell’ in ‘Women, War & Peace’ Portrays How the Women of Liberia, United in Peace, Changed a Nation
Men often dominate the debate of war, negotiation and even peace. Only one woman had ever won the Nobel Peace Prize in Africa. Until now. Last month, three women won the prize, including Leymah Gbowee and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (along with Tawakkul Karman in Yemen) who fought for women’s rights and helped achieve peace in … Continue reading
Bitch Flicks Horror Week 2011: Ellen Ripley, a Feminist Film Icon, Battles Horrifying Aliens…and Patriarchy
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their Horror Week 2011 series. When I was 10 years old, the scariest movie I ever saw was Aliens. I remember the first time I saw it like it was yesterday. Late one night, plagued with insomnia (perhaps a product of my tumultuous childhood), I heard the … Continue reading
Women in Horror Films Week at Bitch Flicks!
In October, I love seeing the leaves change color, visiting historic Salem to learn about the frightful witch trials, and of course watching scary movies. With Halloween right around the corner, this marks the perfect time to celebrate horror films, particularly women in horror films. All week long, one of my absolute favorite feminist blogs … Continue reading
Documentary ‘Miss Representation’ Premiering on OWN Is a Must-See Film
If you have cable, you simply must watch the phenomenal documentary Miss Representation, airing TOMORROW night, 10/20 at 9pm EST on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. I had the privilege to see it at the Athena Film Festival in NYC earlier this year. “The film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to … Continue reading
Guest Post: Cracked.com Makes Obnoxious Assumptions While Critiquing Hollywood’s Obnoxious Assumptions
Written by Stephanie Rogers. Originally published at Bitch Flicks. Cross-posted with permission. Last week, I somehow ended up on Cracked.com reading a post called, “6 Obnoxious Assumptions Hollywood Makes About Women.” It’s no surprise that I ended up there, given that I write for Bitch Flicks and have a vested interest in Hollywood’s Obnoxious Assumptions, … Continue reading
In ‘Women, War & Peace’s ‘I Came to Testify’ Brave Bosnian Women Speak Out About Surviving Rape as a Weapon of War
Cross-posted at Bitch Flicks. When we discuss war and security, we don’t often explore its ramifications on women. Rape and sexual assault are common threats women face globally. But of all the artillery and tactics soldiers use, we rarely think of rape as a weapon of war. And yet too often, it is. On Tuesday … Continue reading
Warriors & Peacemakers: Innovative PBS Documentary Series ‘Women, War and Peace’ Explores Women’s Role in Conflict
Cross-posted at Fem2pt0. As crystallized in the coverage of the North African revolutions, journalists, media pundits and the public often forget women’s participation in conflict and security. When people discuss war, they often don’t take women or gender into account. Women become the forgotten collateral. Yet they consistently play a pivotal role. Women govern and … Continue reading
Best Picture Nominee Review Series for Bitch Flicks: ‘The Reader’
Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their “Best Picture Nominee Review Series.” When we read books or watch movies, we often do so to feel inspired, educate ourselves or escape our daily lives. We frequently look for stories filled with passion, love, sacrifice, revenge, wit and camaraderie. We don’t usually examine how shame … Continue reading
Start a !WAR: Documentary “!Women Art Revolution” Unveils Convergence of Feminism, Activism and Art
Originally published at Bitch Flicks. Let’s play a game. Name three artists…go on. Now who comes to mind? Picasso? Monet? Michelangelo? Now what if I asked you to name three female artists. You probably would think of Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keefe. But what about other women like Judy Chicago, Kathe Kollwitz, Ana Mendieta or Miranda July? … Continue reading