As November 8 draws ever closer, it seems like the only thing people are talking or writing about is politics. Unsurprisingly, intersectional feminist issues — reproductive rights, race, working women and mothers, the economic gap, pay inequality — are as important as they ever were. As such, the personal and political aspects of women’s lives are interwoven throughout our October crowdfunding picks.
The women-centric, directed, and written “F*ck Yes!” uses the female gaze and a humorous tone to underline the importance of enthusiastic consent between sexual partners. Two of the lamest and most-used phrases that reinforce rape culture are, “She didn’t say no” and “What was I supposed to do? Ask permission for everything? It would have killed the mood!” This web series posits that affirmative consent is not only essential, but also has the potential to be fun, exciting, and sexy.
“Real Artists,” a film based on Ken Liu’s short story, plays with gender and race. Cameo Wood’s movie features a successful Asian woman interviewing a younger black woman. By doing so, Wood subtly argues that this story is universal and isn’t constrained by gender or race. The narrative is definitely much more interesting with two women of color as main characters — as opposed to yet another story with a white male character being the key to a young woman’s success. Further, the narrative explores and delves into the relationship between female co-workers, a fairly rare representation in pop culture, which can be at turns fraught, competitive, commiserative, and friendly.
Amy Tiehel’s “Redcoats” also examines the plight of working women, but in a much different context: the Revolutionary War. The film’s protagonist, Sarah, is left to run the farm, maintain the household, and be the head of the family while her husband is off fighting. Things get even harder when British soldiers invade her home. This short film is based on the stories about Nancy Hart.
Finally, there is “Valentina,” a short from writer-director Mary Angélica Molina. It combines and addresses the contemporary issues of “climate change, control over women’s bodies, domestic workers’ rights, immigration, and economic inequality.” The film’s protagonist, Valentina, is a cleaning lady obsessed with personal hygiene. When the power goes out on the hottest day of the year while she is working, Valentina is forced to take a hard, honest look at her body and her life for the first time.
“We’re not USING OUR WORDS,” the women behind “F*ck Yes!” declare. “Which might be why this seemingly un-sexy concept of ‘affirmative consent’ gets confused with ‘spoiling the mood.’” Their idea to explore the fun side of literally saying “Yes!” through pop culture is transforming the conversation around consent. Most of us think of consent as something we discussed in Sex Ed or read about in the news, and assume it’s a no-brainer. But no one ever talks about how the idea of affirmative consent often conflicts with what we see in movies and TV. Couples in most narratives “just sort of magically […] fall into perfect, romantic, orgasmic sex” without any communication or negotiation, let alone affirmative consent, beforehand. Art is powerful and can influence the way we think, so this series — which features a standalone, sex positive vignette in each episode — has real potential to help young men and women ask (and receive) what they really want.
Go to the “F*ck Yes!” Seed&Spark page to help support the series’ second season.
“Real Artists” (Short) — Written and Directed by Cameo Wood
“Real Artists,” from writer-director Cameo Wood, is about animator Sophia’s (Tiffany Hines) interview at a famous animation company with Palladon (Tamlyn Tomita). Wood’s film presents real-world struggles and philosophical, ethical questions in equal measure. “We felt it was the right time to take a hard look at the issues surrounding the future of work, [of] filmmaking,” Wood explains. Although the film just follows the women during the interview, it manages to juggle intricate themes: the complex relationship between women in the same career field; the importance of support and mentorship in the professional world; the sacrifices an artist has to make in order to be successful; the possibility that technology is progressing faster than humans; and whether the ends actually do justify the means, as it applies to great art.
Find out how you can support “Real Artists” in post-production by checking out the film’s Seed&Spark page.
“Redcoats” (Short) — Written and Directed by Amy Tiehel
Writer-director Amy Tiehel initially became interested in women’s lives during the Revolutionary War while she was fighting and recovering from Lyme Disease and breast cancer. Discussing the wives who were home while their husbands were at war, Tiehel says, “These women were isolated and lonely, and in my illness I connected deeply to their anxiety, fear, and vulnerability.” Tiehel’s short film, “Redcoats,” was inspired by the stories about Nancy Hart. Sarah, the protagonist, is living with her daughter, Emily, and grandchildren, Hannah and William. The men of the family are off fighting with the Patriots. Sarah and Emily are just trying to make it through winter with enough to eat. When three British soldiers force their way into the house and demand food, water, and anything else that catches their eye, the family hatches a clever scheme to protect themselves and defend their home. “[I] was inspired by [Revolutionary women’s] courage as they held on by any means necessary,” Tiehel explains. “This film is the physical representation of all those feelings I held in my soul while sick, and the perseverance it takes to survive.”
Check out the “Redcoats” campaign on Kickstarter to contribute to the film or to learn more.
“Valentina” (Short) — Written and Directed by Mary Angélica Molina
In many ways, “Valentina,” Mary Angélica Molina’s short film, tells a standard story, even if it does take place in the near future. It’s 2025, global warming has not gone away, and temperatures continue to skyrocket. Valentina, a middle-aged Latina woman, is the most coveted maid among upper-class New Yorkers. Disregarding the year, this story is one we know by heart. That is until Valentina’s vagina starts talking. The vagina can no longer bear the heat and literally begins to cry out. Once the vagina finds her voice, however, she becomes even more bold: “What starts as a simple cry for fresh air turns into an intervention as [Valentina’s] vagina asks after her wages and demands better working conditions,” Molina explains. The stifling, impenetrable heat forces “Valentina to come face-to-face with a part of her anatomy she’s always ignored, and it will embolden her in the process.” If you think about it, the talking vagina actually might not be the most surprising, idiosyncratic aspect of the film. That would be the fact that a woman and her body are part of the same being and aren’t controlled by anyone else.
Help Molina turn the storyboards into reality and go to “Valentina’s” Kickstarter page.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
