Campus and Community Events

The Women in Film and Video (WIFV) brought its seventeenth annual International Festival to Washington, DC from October 18-26. This year's festival, which was held in conjunction with the American Film Institute, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Smithsonian Associates, included shorts, films, and documentaries by women from 11 countries.

The week long festival included screenings by the directors of several films, a directors forum panel, and a

chance to meet and discuss the ins and outs of filmmaking with several prominent women in the business.

The Women's Studies Program hosted the festival's panel discussion entitled "Raising your Cinematic Voice: A Director's Forum" on October 25^th. We were excited to have this opportunity to show our support for women in the arts and the continuing efforts of WIFV-DC to bring local audiences excellent work by accomplished female directors. We hope to be a part of WIFV-DC's efforts in the future.

Saturday October 18

Artemesia Agnes Merlet---DC Premiere (France, 1997, 98 min., feature)

Sunday October 19

Chantal Ackerman by Chantal Ackerman (Belgium, 1996, 63 min., documentary) and A Couch in New York (Belgium, 1996, 105 min., feature)

Tuesday October 21

Escape Livia Gyarmathy---US Premiere (Hungary, 1997, 96 min., feature)

Wednesday October 22

Thank God He Met Lizzie Cherie Nowlan US Premiere (Australia, 1997, 90 min., feature)

Thursday October 23

A Midwife's Tale script by Laurie Kahn-Leavitt from the book by Laurel Ulrich --DC Premiere (USA, 1996, 89 min., documentary)

Friday October 24

The Woman in the Moon Ariadne Kimberly WIFV-DC member (USA, 1995, 82 min., feature)

Saturday October 25

Raising Your Cinematic Voice: A Director's Forum Moderated by Jeanine Basinger

Panel included:

Christine Choy, Tricia Regan & Jenifer McShane, Livia Gyarmathy & Zsuzsa Boszormenyi, and Ariadne Kimberly

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World Christine Choy---DC Premiere (USA, 1997, 59 min., documentary)

Eve's Bayou Kasi Lemmons---DC Premiere (USA, 1997, 107 min., feature)

Sunday October 26

A Leap of Faith Tricia Reagan & Jenifer McShane---DC Premiere (USA, 1996, 87 min., documentary)

Photographer JEB (Joan E. Biren) Honored
at Inaugural Event for the Lesbian and Gay Archives

Acclaimed lesbian photographer Joan E. Biren, otherwise known as JEB, had the distinction of initiating the Gay and Lesbian History Archives of Washington, DC with her retrospective "Queerly Visible: 1971-1991." The Department of Special Collections of the Gelman Library and the Friends of the Libraries of The George Washington University sponsored the event and enthusiastically showed support for the endeavor at the artist's talk on October 9^th. The Archives is an accumulation of books, manuscripts, and personal articles that help to broaden the understanding of the history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in the Washington, DC area.

The photos in this exhibit tell the tale of JEB's life and adventures while documenting the last twenty years of gay and lesbian existence. JEB began taking photographs as a way to express herself outside the male-dominated realm of language. She began recording the world around her which included documenting the gay and lesbian civil rights, feminist, peace, and anti-nuclear movements. More

than that, she was telling the story of and giving voice to the everyday lives of lesbians for the first time.

In 1979, she published her first collection of photos in Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians. In 1987 she published the second, Making a Way: Lesbians Out Front. In the 90's, JEB turned to video as a means to express herself. The slide show For Love and For Life, which documented the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was transferred to video tape. In addition, her video A Simple Matter of Justice has been named the official tape of the 1993 March.

During her talk, she mentioned several people that she wanted to thank; among them her father who was present to share the moment and show his support. Her candid, easy-going nature and light-hearted comments made for an enjoyable and intimate evening. JEB's dedication and hard work have made a significant contribution to the fight against homophobia and prejudice. We are proud to have her collection as a permanent installation at the Gelman Library.

On Sunday November 9^th bell hooks read from her latest book, Wounds of Passion: A Writing Life, at Vertigo Books on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle. This most recent publication explores the impact that the author's life and relationships have had on her writing. Especially important to hooks was the story of her 12 year relationship with a man named Mack, the longest romantic involvement of her life. She explained that she didn't think there were enough stories available about Black women's love lives, that a taboo exists around the subject. This book is intended to broach that taboo while following the autobiographical route that many of hooks' recent works have taken.

After the reading, hooks took questions from the audience. People sought pearls of wisdom from the author on diverse and complex subjects. Many attendees asked hooks what she thought of representations of Black people in popular culture. My interpretation of her response was that there are many talented Black filmmakers working today, but that television programs too often portray Black people as modern-day minstrels.

Someone asked hooks about interracial relationships. hooks' reply was that she was happy for anyone who found love in their life, and that she didn't feel qualified to judge the motives and experiences that lead people to make the choices they do. One audience member asked a question about "The Black Community's" homophobia. hooks immediately questioned the woman's adherence to the idea of a monolithic Black community, and recommended that people not further the stereotype that Black people are less accepting of homosexuality than any other people.

Finally, hooks talked about a theme that's common in her work: the need for honest discussion that doesn't necessitate constant consensus. Disagreement among thinking people, according to the author, must not be seen as divisive because it is necessary to the development of theories and strategies intended to combat racism and sexism. In order to find the best possible course to the end of oppression, many different ideas on the subject must be heard. hooks' ultimate recommendation toward the achievement of this objective was to "Read bell hooks."

On Wednesday, November 5^th the Women's Leadership Forum of the Democratic National Committee held a 50^th birthday bash for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The event was held at the Warner Theater and was a fund-raiser for the organization. Since the DNC reserved over 150 tickets at reduced cost for College Democrats of the area, many students from GW were able to attend.

The evening began with welcoming remarks from the co-chairwomen of the event, a speech by Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and an introduction of the First Lady by Governor Roy Romer. After Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Gore came out on stage, we were treated to a video tribute by Iris Martin which covered Hillary's service and dedication over her 50 successful years. Next,

the birthday cake was presented and the DC Youth Ensemble sang Happy Birthday.

After a speech by Mrs. Gore who is the WLF Honorary Chair, Hillary began the actual Town Meeting. Audience members raised questions about various issues such as health care policy, voter turnout, and education. The First Lady responded to all of the questions with great care and poise and was genuinely interested in the audience's concerns.

After the celebration, everyone was handed a piece of birthday cake as they walked out, thrilled to have been able to celebrate a momentous occasion with the First Lady.