Introducing ‘The Call Sheet,’ a new magazine devoted to elevating emerging voices in film
Working closely with Chicago’s creatives, The Call Sheet magazine takes you behind the scenes on the filmmakers of today. Through this unique partnership between two of the city’s femme-led film organizations Cinema Femme and Camera Ambassador, our magazine will spotlight some of the raw and powerful talent emerging from the current filmmaking landscape! Chicago femme-led […]
A Look Back: The Women of Wakanda
The message of “Black Panther” is that the potential and influence of women must not be ignored or discounted. From the strategic actions of Nakia as an undercover spy and refugee saviour on a personal mission who will not abandon her calling, to the knowledge centre of Shuri, who has the final words of the film when she says to the injured Westerner Sergeant Barnes, “Come, there is much more for you to learn,” all the women excel as examples of depth and variety of the Black woman.
Look back: Kelly O’Sullivan’s debut script ‘Saint Frances’ brings an authentic look into womanhood
With the recent news of the Supreme Court leak detailing their plan to overturn Roe vs. Wade, we wanted to bring back our interview with Kelly O’Sullivan about her film “Saint Frances”. At Cinema Femme, we stand for the human rights of women, and we fight an obvious violation of them. “Saint Frances” brings up […]
MEZCLA MEDIA COLLECTIVE TO RECEIVE $15,000 GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
CHICAGO, IL — Mezcla Media Collective, a 501(c)(3) organization which works to elevate over 650 women and non-binary independent filmmakers of color in Chicago, was selected for a $15,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support arts projects of its members. Mezcla Media Collective will be among the more than 1,100 projects across America totaling […]
#TBT 2019 Sundance Ebert Fellows
Chaz Ebert introduced me to the 2019 Sundance Ebert Fellows Niani Scott, Whitney A. Spencer, and Tiffany Walden via Instagram as they were on their way to Park City, Utah, to cover Sundance Film Festival. I read up on these intelligent and extremely talented women, and I was so inspired by their drive and past experience. During our interview in March, we talked about their Sundance experiences, their favorite films from the festival, and the importance of having diverse voices in film criticism.
‘Clueless’ broke down barriers and paved the way for today’s comedies
At the end, “Clueless” is both reflective and ahead of its time. It implants the image of the modern woman of the nineties, rebelling against the clean-shaven stereotypical second-wave feminists and paving the way for women of the fourth-wave feminist, who unlike their predecessors were able to subvert the gaze completely by liberating from the gender and sexual spectrum. Despite resistance, the atmosphere right now is more welcoming than ever for a female-led comedy that does not fear the sexual power of its funny lead actress.
‘Girls Trip’: a dose of Black Girl Magic
“Girls Trip” is a film that highlights and celebrates Black womanhood in a variety of forms. This includes a honour roll call of Black excellence with people like Iyanla Vanzant, Mariah Carey, Mike Epps, Terry McMillan, Morris Chestnut, Estelle, Common, Ne-Yo, and Ava DuVernay who specifically talks about “Black Girl Magic”; DuVernay says, “It feels like a reminder, a rallying call, a term of endearment.” “Girls Trip” is all about the journey that is “Black Girl Magic.”
A cult classic is in our midst with Jennifer Reeder’s teen noir ‘Knives and Skin’
“Knives and Skin” follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a rural Midwest town. The coming-of-age film has been described as a mix of Lynchian thriller and high school musical.
The philosophy of improvising a film and life: Tori Titmas talks ‘The Girls of Summer’
“The Girls of Summer”, is a delightful gem of a film, starring and written by Tori Titmas, directed by John Hancock. Speaking with Tori about her film, I felt like I had found my long lost friend. She is so in tune with life, and like Bill Murray, has a zen quality to her, inspired […]
Chosen ‘Family’
Family is about the lengths you will go to listen and hear others, not just the blood bonds that you have. Kate and Maddie are each other’s chosen family, and that is poignant.
Why was ‘Thelma & Louise’ such an impactful film? Jennifer Townsend’s documentary explores why
I recently spoke with Townsend over the phone about how she created this fascinating documentary and how things have changed for women in film since “Thelma & Louise” came out in 1991.
Patti Vasquez brings representation onstage and behind the mic
Patti Vasquez is a renaissance woman: She’s the host of “The Patti Vasquez Show” on Chicago’s WGN Radio, a stand-up comedian, and the founder of With Kind Words, a consulting company for health care providers. Patti brings her passion and love for people into her comedy, her radio show on WGN, and her writing. I […]