Women’s Film Festival
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN FILM
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ABOUT WOMEN
CHALLENGING THE STEREOTYPICAL IMAGES OF WOMEN
Saturday, May 20, 2017 and Sunday, May 21, 2017
Bluelight Cinemas, 21275 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
Purchase Tickets at
www.bluelightcinemas.com
T. 408-255-2552
Saturday May 20 Showtimes:
I am A Girl at 5:00 PM
Overian Pycos at 6:55 PM
No Land’s Song at 8:30 PM
Sunday May 21 Show times:
Miss Representation at 5:00 PM
Iron Jawed Angels at 6:55 PM
1001 Teardrops at 9:20PM
No Land’s Song at 10:10 PM
An Interview with Taraneh Roosta on “VOW for Change” and Women’s Film Festival
1001 TEARDROPS
On her first day of school, little Louly is faced with a question: what should she wear? The ugly school uniform or whatever she wants? Luckily, she is visited by a magic teardrop-keeper who helps her make a choice by telling the story of how the women of her nation, Iran, have strived to answer this question for 200 years.
No Land’s Song
The Islamic revolution of 1979 banned female singers from appearing in public in Iran. They are no longer allowed to perform solo, unless to an exclusively female audience. Recordings of former female icons can only be bought on the black market. But Sara Najafi is determined to refresh the cultural memory by roaming Tehran in the footsteps of famous singers of the 1920s and 1960s. She is about to revive the female voices in the present as she courageously plans an evening of Iranian and French female soloists to rebuild shattered cultural bridges-a concert that is not allowed to take place. For two-and-a-half years, director Ayat Najafi follows the preparations between Tehran and Paris that are always touch and go. What’s still possible? What goes too far? Sara’s regular meetings with the Ministry of Culture shed light on the system’s logic and arbitrariness, though officials there can only be heard and not seen. Can intercultural solidarity and the revolutionary power of music triumph? A political thriller and a musical journey, No Land’s Song never loses sight of its real center – the female voice.
Miss Representation
Jennifer Siebel Newsom brings together some of America’s most influential women in politics, news, and entertainment to give us an inside look at the media’s message. Miss Representation explores women’s under- representation in positions of power by challenging the limited and often disparaging portrayal of women in the media. As one of the most persuasive and pervasive forces in our culture, media is educating yet another generation that women’s primary value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality-not in their capacity as leaders. Through the riveting perspectives of youth and the critical analysis of top scholars, Miss Representation will change the way you see media.
Ovarian Psycos
Riding at night through the streets of Eastside Los Angeles, the Ovarian Psycos are an unapologetic crew of women of color. Founded by Xela de la X, a single mother and poet, the Ovarian Psycos’s purpose is one of healing, reclaiming their neighborhoods, and creating safer streets for women. At first only attracting a few local women, the Ovarian Psycos have since inspired a crowd of locals to challenge the stereotypical expectations of femininity and be a visible force along the barrios and boulevards of Los Angeles. The film intimately explores the impact of the group’s brand of feminism on neighborhood women and communities as they confront the injustice, racism, and violence in their lives.
I Am A Girl
A compassionate study of young women at risk. A documentary that focuses on the most persecuted group of people in the world: girls. Being born a girl means you are more likely to be subjected to violence, disease, poverty and disadvantage than any other group on the planet. We meet Manu, Kimsey, Aziza, Habiba, Breani and Katie – six girls who are coming of age in the 21st century around the world.
Iron Jawed Angels
Alice Paul, an American feminist risked her life to fight for women’s citizenship and the right to vote. She founded the separatist National Woman’s Party and wrote the first equal rights amendment presented before Congress. Together with social reformer Lucy Burns, Paul fought against conservative forces in order to pass the 19th amendment to the Constitution of the United States. One of their first actions was a parade on President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration day.The activists get arrested and go on a well-publicized hunger strike, where their refusal to eat earns them the title of “the iron-jawed angels.”