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Finalist Award -Moondance Intl.
Film Festival "Highly Recommended. A beautifully done, emotionally-evocative and very informative documentary about repressed sources of women's wisdom, rituals and power that flow from an embodied/goddess spirituality." -Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Crossing to Avalon and Goddesses in Every Woman "Highly Recommended. Women's mysteries are blood mysteries, for women bleed without dying. This trilogy dives deep into the mystery. Look if you dare, learn if you will." -Susun Weed, author of New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way "Highly Recommended. In this trilogy we are reminded, elegantly and generously, how rites of passage can support our transitions, and why values of the feminine are being "recalled," re-valued and put to work." -Karen Hawthorne Ph.D., Alliant Intl. University This poetic documentary trilogy by Emmy Award winning filmmaker Roberta Cantow (Clotheslines) reframes the blood in women's lives, the monthy bleeding that is the singular signature and distinction of women, as inextricably bound to the life affirming and transforming potential of the creative life force that resides within all women. Featured professionals include Helen Redman, Kate McCavitt, Lynn Dewart, Judith Larkin Reno, Judith Greer Essex, and authors Sydney Salt (Voices in the Dreamtime) and Lara Owen (Her Blood is Gold). (Viewers are forewarned that "Bloodtime" includes images of violence and "Dreamtime" images of nudity.) 1. Bloodtime: Claiming the Territory - Part One brings to light the ironies embedded in a culture that seems simultaneously repelled by, yet drawn to, images of blood in television shows, movies and video games. Archival segments, still images and live-action footage interweave with commentaries that evolve an appreciation for these contradictions. Women pay homage to their blood, identifying their own associations with and attitudes toward blood, noting where they are on the life-cycle continuum, bringing the very subject into the light, and suggesting that an embrace of the feminine is the needed return to wholeness.(20 min.) 2. Moontime: Celebrating the Blessing - Part Two incorporates documentary content and visually poetic elements to celebrate a girl's entrance into womanhood. It shifts the meaning of the cyclical nature of blood in women's lives from merely a biological event, menstruation, to one that empowers women spiritually. It explores the Native American tradition of the Moon Lodge, how attitudes of patriarchy have impacted girl empowerment and girl self-esteem, and how creating individual rituals may cause a shift in cultural attitudes and practices. (36 min.) 3. Dreamtime: Creating Art and Ritual - Part Three depicts the expressive arts' movement and body politics as we see how women are using art-making and personalized or invented rituals to honor their bodies and celebrate themselves and the life passage events in their lives. These activities are seen as gateways to empowerment, and personal and spiritual transformation. By using the imagination and expressing through art and ritual the women mark the milestone events as they cross the various thresholds of their lives and chart the pathways to becoming more vocal leaders and healers of the world. (60 min.) Includes a Free Discussion Guide. Produced by Roberta Cantow. 2008 CA 116 total min. |
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The Book of Laughs |
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Best Women's Film Award
-Atlanta FF An autobiographical poetic journey where we witness an often surrealistic intermingling of the memories of two sisters - the filmmaker and her terminally-ill sister - during three stages of their lives. Produced by Roberta Cantow. 07DR/CL Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - SCA 60 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. A real-life story that underscores
the importance of never giving up on your dream." -National Review A true story that is a modern-age Cinderella story. Here we meet Pippa Scholes, an office cleaner in a web design company, whose dream is to become a musical pop star. Pippa's website, which allows her to show off her wonderful singing voice, helps her gain some valuable free publicity. In the end, a sequel of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband and a conversation with the great English actress Susannah York turn out to be Pippa's "Prince Charming" and inspires her to follow her dream. Produced by TSI, Inc. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. An excellent program that emphasizes the
importance of equality for women." -Ed. Media Review The premise of this production is a woman-on-the street interview with many people, asking for the one piece of advice they have to make a woman perfect. Many ideas of womanhood are given. Produced by Janis Lundman. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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Emmy Award Winner! Award Winner! -San Francisco Film Festival Award Winner! -London Intl. Film Festival Award Winner! -Rocky Mt. Women's Film Festival "Highly Recommended. Proud voices, angry voices, sheepish, humorous, wistful, and bitter voices express layers of feelings and experience that will be a revelation to both men and women." -The New York Times "Highly Recommended. One of the best films about women ever made." -Vic Skolnick, American Independent Series With verve and humor, this multi-award winning classic documentary shows the love/hate relationship that women have with the task of cleaning the family's clothes. As we see the clothes flapping in the wind and hear the voices - some proud, some angry, some wistful - we realize that doing laundry calls forth deep feelings about one's role in life. Some remember when their mothers and grandmothers tackled the same chores using washtubs and washboards, or even river streams. This Emmy award winning film pays homage to the commonality of women's experience. Produced by Roberta Cantow. 08DR/CL A 33 min. Home/Personal Use DVD or VHS Available: $29.95 |
| This program depicts moments of physical and emotional sadness, especially those involving couples and/or parents and children, while addressing human sexuality. There is brief nudity and some profanity. Produced by Diane Ricard. 08DR/CL CA 15 min. |
| "Documents three generations of take-charge women who could never be anyone's "clinging vine." -Ed. Media Review Hallie Stillwell, Beverly Weyerts and Kay Love are three ranch women profiled in this tribute to women and ranching. Each shares her personal story of what life is like living and working on a ranch. Produced by Heather Gilmour. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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Stripped Bare |
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This straightforward profile of women who work as erotic
dancers raises sensitive questions about female sexuality and the issue of
sexual exploitation. Produced by Caitlin Manning. 07DR/CL Level 1 - CA 30 min. Level 2 - Adult 60 min. |
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"I have met brave women who are exploring the outer edge
of possibility, with no history to guide them and with a courage to make
themselves vulnerable that I find moving beyond words. This is five of those
women's stories." -Gloria Steinem This powerful documentary presents the stories for five courageous women; women who balance age-old traditions with new roles as creators of social change. They confront oppression and injustice, determined to create a better life for their children and their communities. For them, the personal and the political have become one. In their voices you will hear their passion and commitment. In their hearts you will see their will to create change. First, we meet Barbara Cummings, who as an aboriginal child was displaced from her family. Today this author (Take This Child), and recipient of the "Aboriginal of the Year" award, is an aboriginal rights' activist in Australia's Northern territory and played a crucial role in the establishment of Karu, the Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agency in Darwin. Next we meet Sandra Gonzalez, a union organizer in Guatemala. As a single mother, she has faced long working hours, low wages and sexual harassment; also during a labor strike she has even received death threats. Despite all of this, she and her co-workers hold steadfast and win the worker's rights they have been seeking. Next we meet Mara Kimele, whose family for three generations has made considerable contributions to Latvia theatre. Here she presents excerpts from her play, The Book of Ruth, a parable showing the courage of Latvian women, who have had to face struggles with communism and capitalism. Next, we meet Tam Goosen, who grew up in the slums of Hong Kong, immigrated to Canada, where she experienced racism first-hand. Today she is an advocate for education and activist against racism, and inspiration to her daughter, who is carrying on her mother's activism. Lastly, we meet the internationally renowned lawyer and activist, Asma Jahangir, who was the founder of Pakistan's first all-women law firm. Though she faces death threats constantly, she continues to challenge human rights' abuses. Released in association with CCI, Releasing, Inc. 08DR JSCA 92 min. |