One of the most prominent conversations in culture today is that of gender equality. The entertainment industry, specifically film, seems to be leading the charge across a variety of different formats. Last week the media focused attention on Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence's cutting essay about gender pay inequality for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter. But at the exact same time, a couple thousand miles away from Hollywood other people were making their voices heard and contributing to what is a groundswell of attention around the issue of gender, equality, and image in a much more broad and bold manner.
Oscar-nominated actress/producer Virginia Madsen ("Sideways"), actor/recording artist Tyrese ("Transformers" and Oscar-nominated producer Cassian Elwes ("Dallas Buyers Club," "Monster's Ball") were just a few of the Hollywood notables at the recently completed Aruba International Film where the growing conversation around gender/female empowerment was front and center. Madsen was on hand not only as a juror but also to host a screening of a bold documentary about women over 64 years of age. The documentary changes any pre-conceived notions one might have about the touchy intersection of gender, age, and relevancy. Directed by Virginia's mother Elaine Madsen and produced by Virginia, the film brings to the forefront an important part of the gender equality conversation that is often the elephant in the room: simply, not just earning power but the subtle yet vital area of women, age, and personal/professional power . Entitled "I Know A Woman Like That," the film is, essentially, a portrait of women aged 64-94 and the extraordinary lives they lead. Among topics of discussion are the taboo sex-after-middle-age scenarios but also extremely inspiring interviews of such figures as 90-something year old yoga instructors and water-ski-ing masters and 80-something year old public policy makers. Madsen said, 'We just wanted to do something different that showed a larger scope of women, and we knew the time to do it was now." The film provides a pivotal addition to the gender equality conversation that moves well past simple U.S. currency.
In addition, fictional stories were most definitely on the roster as well. After an enthusiastic red-carpet welcome, Tyrese screened his short film "Shame" to a packed house. Inspired by a song that he wrote, "Shame" co-stars Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson and features Tyrese as a womanizing husband. The short was produced by Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington and directed by acclaimed video producer Paul Hunter. The film is an intriguing conversation on the psychological abuse that men can have on women and how it can affect their personal and professional performance, among many other elements. Particularly poignant was Tyrese's live commentary on the potential healing nature of the film that he hopes touches viewers who might recognize themselves in the characters.
But gender cannot help with intersect with sexuality, family, and the bonds between friends either. This too, is a crucial part of the larger concern regarding women and inequality because support systems and engagement, no doubt impact the level of achievement that one often times reaches or does not. The first lesbian film out of Venezuela, "Liz In September" is a perfect vehicle for such insight and extended conversation. In short, the well-crafted story follows Liz, a party girl, and a collective of lesbian friends who must deal with the death of one of their young sons. The film stars Patricia Velasquez and is directed by Fina Torres who won la Caméra d'Or award at the 1985 Cannes Film with her directorial debut film, Oriana. Torres explains, "The film is based on a play by Jane Chambers and was very successful in the 80's. I decided to bring it into today's time and re-interpret it within a Venezuelan setting. That's important to me because I feel that we all encounter homophobia but the strong feelings around lesbian homophobia is rarely explored. I felt I needed to do that."
But a film entitled "Deal With it" was a particular stand out addition to this festival. A very cool documentary from female filmmaker (and producer of the Dutch version of "Survivor") that seems nearly HBO-ready, "Deal With It" demonstrates the relationship of the filmmaker with both a father and brother who abuse drugs and have been incarcerated yet still posses a non-judgmental family dynamic. It is an honest, at times funny work that provides a voice to not only those who we often overlook in society but also addresses the affect that such men can have on women, their finances, and romantic choices in very impactful ways.
Naturally films with a variety of themes, such Marq Evans' innovative "Glamour and the Squalor" which documents the rise of influential Portland, Oregon DJ Marco Colins and his influence on acts from Nirvana to Beck were included and made for a well-balanced event. But, this well-produced and robust festival proved that is definitely out front in terms of international festivals and what is proving to be a global theme for which the volume is rising. "It's important," explains the founder of the festival, Jonathan Viera, "that we deliver an event which includes such work and commentary. We all stand at an important point in gender, work, and creativity today."