»Women make Movies« mit Ariel Dougherty

With the Offenbach audience Ariel Dougherty wants to explore feminist film theory from a community point of view. 

Based on her 50 years of work she will delve into stumbling blocks of women's film advancement. It is not just money, but policy. She will paint a lively picture of Women Make Movies’ early years when teaching community women was a core of this germinal organization's work.

In March 1972, Ariel Dougherty and Sheila Paige, along with Dolores Bargowski, founded Women Make Movies in New York City. The focus of their activities were community-based film workshops by and for women. The idea grew out of a feminist production collective who came together in September 1969 at the citywide meeting of the Women’s Liberation Movement.

By 1973, Women Make Movies had produced four films. In the years that followed, the project developed into a film distribution, which still exists today and is now one of the most important international distributors for independent films by and about women*.

Ariel Dougherty is an independent filmmaker and feminist media strategist, whose work is grounded in over fifty years of media advocacy for women's cinematic story-telling, encouraging it unleash from patriarchal domination. Co-founder of Women Make Movies, she has mentored hundreds of women filmmakers, produced many dozens of works, and directed 14 of her own films.

Her book, MORE THAN VOICE, VISIONS, about community-based feminist film teaching groups, their success and challenges, is in the finishing stages. 

FEAR

1973, 16mm, 7 min, s/w (digital file), R: Jean Shaw, D: Linda Fulhaber & Bill Stavers

»A sequence of harsh events culminates in a triumphant confrontation with a rapist as a young woman is led to a birth of courage.« (WMM)

»The movie is the most positive, strength creating film imaginable. The women in the audience applauded and cried out with joy.« (off our backs, October 1, 1973)

JUST LOOKING

1973, 16mm, 6 min, s/w (digital file), R: Suzanne Armstron

»An older woman is seduced into an unpredictable and adventurous afternoon by a series of friendly and determined people.« (WMM) 

Eine Veranstaltung der Kinothek Asta Nielsen in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Lehrgebiet Film der Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach. 

Wir danken Women Make Movies und Ariel Dougherty.