Author: msmlroberts

Mental Health Advocate - Feminist - Film Buff - Writer - Musician - Wannabe Gilda Radner
Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Women in Film

Three Rivers Film Festival Preview: “The Unknown Country”

Year: 2022 Runtime: 85 minutes Director: Morrisa Maltz Writers: Morrisa Maltz, Lily Gladstone (story by), Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux (story by), Vanara Taing (story by) Stars: Lily Gladstone, Raymond Lee, Richard Ray Whitman, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Devin Shangreaux, Pam Richter, Scott Stampe, Florence R. Perrin, Teresa Boyd By Morgan Roberts There is something that has happened since the start of the pandemic. Our isolation has become … Continue reading Three Rivers Film Festival Preview: “The Unknown Country”

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Documentaries, Film Festivals, Reviews, Television Review

Three Rivers Film Festival Preview: “Butterfly in the Sky”

Year: 2022 Runtime: 87 minutes Directors: Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb By Morgan Roberts For many, “Reading Rainbow” was more than a television program. It was our first form of education that taught us to love books, telling stories, and using our imaginations. “Butterfly in the Sky”is the documentary film that dives into the history of “Reading Rainbow” and the impact the show had on many … Continue reading Three Rivers Film Festival Preview: “Butterfly in the Sky”

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Documentaries, Female Filmmaker, Mental Health, Women in Film

Review: “Our American Family”

Year: 2021Runtime: 87 minutesDirectors: Hallee Adelman, Sean King O’Grady By Morgan Roberts Substance abuse is not uncommon. I guarantee you know someone who has some form of a substance abuse disorder, especially considering the opioid crisis. The documentary film, “Our American Family,” is a harrowing and honest look at one family fighting for sobriety and healing. The film follows a close-knit Philadelphia area family who … Continue reading Review: “Our American Family”

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Feminism, Reviews, Spotlight, Women in Television

“A Very British Scandal” and the Public Slut-Shaming of the Duchess of Argyll

By Morgan Roberts In the Prime Video anthology, “A Very British Scandal” (2021), the tumultuous marriage and scandalous divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll takes center stage. The marriage between Ian Campbell (Paul Bettany) and Margaret Whigham (Claire Foy) was passionate yet volatile from the start. Campbell cheated on his second wife with Whigham in order to be granted a divorce. The marriage … Continue reading “A Very British Scandal” and the Public Slut-Shaming of the Duchess of Argyll

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Film Reviews

Review: “Montana Story”

Year: 2022Runtime: 113 minutesDirectors/Writers: Scott McGehee and David SiegelStars: Haley Lu Richardson, Owen Teague, Gilbert Owuor, Kimberly Guerrero, Eugene Brave Rock, Asivak Koostachin, Kate Britton, John Ludin By Morgan Roberts How do you make a film during COVID without making the film solely about COVID? That is what directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel accomplished with their latest film “Montana Story.” The film follows estranged … Continue reading Review: “Montana Story”

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Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Indie Film, Interviews, Women in Film

Exclusive Interview with “Stagiaire” Writer/Director Marina Michelson

By Morgan Roberts Writer/director Marina Michelson is back with her latest short film, “Stagiaire”(2021). “Stagiaire” follows an eager young cook, Leila, as she starts her first day in elite kitchen. As the day unfolds, Leila experiences relentless forms of hazing from the predominantly male kitchen staff, while finding some allies in the face of adversity. That all comes to a head after she is cornered … Continue reading Exclusive Interview with “Stagiaire” Writer/Director Marina Michelson

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Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Feminism, Reviews, Short Film, Women in Film

Review: “Stagiaire”

Year: 2021 Runtime: 10 minutes Director/Writer: Marina Michelson Cast: Marina Michelson, Spenser Granese, Chloe Wepper, Briana Venkus, Ramiz Monsef, Aaron Smith, Angel Halford, Michael Ashley, Patricio Cabrera-Sanchez By Morgan Roberts If reality television has taught us anything, the professional kitchen is a very male-dominated arena. So, what does it look like to walk into that environment as a woman? Writer/director Marina Michelson explores just that … Continue reading Review: “Stagiaire”

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Documentaries, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Film Reviews, Indie Film, Reviews, Women in Film

Review: “Cow”

Year: 2022Runtime: 97 minutesDirector: Andrea Arnold By Morgan Roberts When I was about five years old, I was taken to a dairy farm. As a kid growing in the city, my only knowledge of the outdoors existed within the confines of Griffith Park. At the farm, they had each kid take turns milking a cow. When it was my turn, I remember being hit immediately … Continue reading Review: “Cow”

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Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Feminism, Television, Women in Television

TV Review: “Roar”

By Morgan Roberts In the new AppleTV+ series, universal womanhood issues are tackled in varying metaphorical ways. “Roar” (2022), the new anthology series from Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, has everything from a woman becoming invisible to others to a woman falling in love with an abusive duck to a woman sitting on a shelf like a trophy. Flahive and Mensch previously wrote and produced … Continue reading TV Review: “Roar”

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Directors, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Indie Film, Interviews, Short Film, Women in Film, Writers

Exclusive Interview with “Someone to Carry You” Writer/Director Cyrina Fiallo

In her latest short film, “Someone to Carry You”(2022), writer/director Cyrina Fiallo explores the nuances and beauty of female friendship. The film is an ode to her own friendship with her real-life friend Laura. It is a piece of art that blurs the lines between fiction and archival, art and artist. It is a lovely film that highlights the power of friendship and an ode to the people who see you for your unique self. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with “Someone to Carry You” Writer/Director Cyrina Fiallo

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