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Seraphic Dialogue (Color, 1969)
Pioneering modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham brings her unique artistry to the tale of Joan of Arc. This powerful and beautiful piece features dynamic sets by Isamu Noguchi.
Women Of the World (WOW) (Color, 1975)
Wife and partner of animator John Hubley (sharing several Oscars), Faith Hubley began work on Women of the World as her first solo project (with help from other women in her circle, including daughter Georgia (drummer/vocalist for Yo La Tengo). An artistic history of the world from a feminist point of view.
Wife and partner of animator John Hubley (sharing several Oscars), Faith Hubley began work on Women of the World as her first solo project (with help from other women in her circle, including daughter Georgia (drummer/vocalist for Yo La Tengo). An artistic history of the world from a feminist point of view.
St. Louis Blues (1929, Dudley Murphy, B+W, 16 minutes)
The only existing footage of Bessie Smith! W.C. Handy conceived and produced this gritty melodrama based on his 12 bar blues ballad of betrayal. Luckily for posterity, he had the foresight to ask Miss Smith to reprise her “role” as the ill-used love from her 1925 hit. An ambitious early sound film, Murphy pushed the technology of the day to its limits with surprisingly lush results. The Hall Johnson Choir do double duty as the singing speakeasy patrons and Jimmy Mordecai takes a turn as the tap dancing ne’er-do-well pimp.
Attention: Women at Work (Color, 1983)
Women have to work hard in the bedroom and the workplace. This film surveys attitudes toward women in the workplace and presents portraits on women who do jobs men usually do. Lady Construction workers, architects and coast guards all invite us into the strange and wonderful world they occupy doing man’s work. Though we’ve come a long way in today’s workplace, these portraits remind us how we construct our own gender identities through our work places.
Woo Who? May Wilson (Color, 1970)
A portrait of artist May Wilson, former "wife-mother-housekeeper-cook" and a grandmother who, at age 60 after the break-up of her 40-year marriage, moves to New York City and discovers an independent life of her own for the first time. With humor and insight the film shows her acquiring new friends and a new self-image, and we watch her gain success as "Grandma Moses of the Underground."
Aretha Franklin – Soul Singer (1968, Color, Excerpt)
Directed by Stephen Fleischman for ABC News, showcases the electrifying Franklin singing gospel in a Detroit Church, rehearsing in the recording studio with her band, performing live in concert and on the Detroit television dance party program "Swing Time". Song highlights include "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Chain of Fools" and of course "Respect". This well-made documentary features some very good live segments of Aretha in performance, receiving an award from Rev. Martin Luther King and onstage with her backup singers and dancers.
About Ladyfest
Ladyfests are annual, non-profit events organised mainly by womyn; they feature bands, musical and political groups, lecturers, spoken word and visual artists, workshops and discussion groups and are organised purely by volunteers. The events are focused mainly on encouraging the talent of womyn and girls, and some workshops are womyn-only, so as to make them feel more comfortable, however, main music events and films/art exhibits are open to everyone. Click here for more information and events.