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”

#BreaktheBias: Five Female Stereotypes In Film That Need To Go

The theme for this International Women’s Day is ‘Break the Bias’, according to the official International Women’s Day website “Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.” We are all being urged to actively call out any form of bias and/or discrimination that we may encounter. Continue reading #BreaktheBias: Five Female Stereotypes In Film That Need To Go

Exclusive Interview with Angela How, Director of “Bullied”

After watching Angela How’s hard-hitting and very real drama/thriller “Bullied” I was very keen to speak to her about the development of the film and her inspiration behind it. As a child I was subjected to bullying at school and it did have a significant impact on my overall perception of myself and my confidence. I found myself really relating to the character of Charlotte (played by the brilliant Jacinta Klassen) and I wasn’t quite aware of how much the film had impacted me until afterwards when I was coming up with the questions for How. There’s such a rawness and sense of realism, that this story could have only come from someone who had lived through the effects of bullying. In this interview below, How discusses her inspiration behind the picture, the struggles of casting and the female filmmakers who influenced her as well as her next upcoming project which sounds fascinating. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Angela How, Director of “Bullied”

Why Princess Fiona from “Shrek” Is An All Star

It seems incredible that Dreamworks “Shrek” is now twenty years old. This cult classic burst onto our screens on the 18th May 2001, with it’s talented cast of actors (Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and the awesome John Lithgow), “Shrek” transformed the CGI animated landscape forever. While, many articles and think pieces are analysing the film and its characters as a whole, I have decided to focus on the film’s true hero: Princess Fiona. Continue reading Why Princess Fiona from “Shrek” Is An All Star

Exclusive Interview With Malou Reymann, Director of “A Perfectly Normal Family”

When she was 11 years old, Malou Reymann’s father transitioned to being a woman. Malou went on to study Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School, and her semi-autobiographical debut feature film “A Perfectly Normal Family” has been inspired by her own experiences as a child. Featuring towering performances by Kaya Toft Loholt and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, the film tells the story of eleven year old Emma who has a perfectly normal family until one day she discovers that her dad, Thomas, is transgender. As Thomas becomes Agnete, both father and daughter struggle to hold on to what they had, while accepting that everything has changed. Continue reading Exclusive Interview With Malou Reymann, Director of “A Perfectly Normal Family”

A Sort of ‘Review’ of Dollhouse: The Eradication of Female Subjectivity from American Popular Culture

After watching “Dollhouse” I was left feeling that the film was simply an excuse for Brending to express her personal grudges against the trans community. I’m not sure whether this film will hinder her career or not especially considering the current climate. However, the simple fact that it’s been made and screened at Slamdance film festival proves she’s not being oppressed. Her voice is being given a platform. How many trans filmmakers have been able to get their films made and screened at Slamdance, I wonder? Continue reading A Sort of ‘Review’ of Dollhouse: The Eradication of Female Subjectivity from American Popular Culture

Lana Winters of “American Horror Story” and The Issues of the 60s’ Homosexuality, Abortion, and Adoption

In pop culture, especially in film and television discourse, we meet characters that mean a lot to us. They have an immense power to shape and shift our minds and, often, change our views. We look up to them and cheer them on in their struggles presented in a film or a series.

That character for me is Lana Winters portrayed by outstanding Sarah Paulson. The character is many things – a famous journalist, a lesbian, and a fearless woman introduced in the second season of “American Horror Story: Asylum.” Continue reading Lana Winters of “American Horror Story” and The Issues of the 60s’ Homosexuality, Abortion, and Adoption

Women as disposable objects in “The American” (2010)

This 2010 film, directed by Anton Corbijn, stars George Clooney as an assassin called Jack who wants to get out of the profession but carries out one more job. He travels to a small village in Italy to build and deliver a bespoke weapon.

While there he forms a relationship with a sex worker Clara (Violante Placido), tries to avoid being assassinated himself, and is generally melancholy. Yes that is quite a light plot. Continue reading Women as disposable objects in “The American” (2010)