When it comes to history, women’s contributions have often been left out of the textbooks, or an event has been told exclusively from the male perspective. Each of this month’s crowdfunding picks focuses on a significant moment in American history. More importantly, every story centers on — or is told by — a woman.
“Into Light” is a short film about a determined real-life suffragette. “Young Love: A WWII Love Story” is another short film with a female protagonist: a girl on the home front waiting for her lover to return from war in 1943. Created by Rochelle Holland, “Blue Hearts” is a documentary series that focuses on more recent history, and examines the impact of 9/11 illnesses on first responders and their families.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest women-centric and women-made crowdfunding picks.
The filmmakers of “Into Light” want to bring the story of Inez Milholland out of the shadows. Milholland was a leading suffragette who did not let a terminal illness diagnosis slow her down. While on a speaking tour in 1916, her health took a turn, yet she still insisted on finishing a rousing speech, which addressed President Wilson and women’s liberty.
Co-writer Amy Walker will also portray Milholland in the short. She was partly inspired to tell the story after appearing in reenactments in the documentary, “Forward Into Light,” by Martha Wheelock. Wheelock will serve as a historian on this dramatization.
The film’s planned release in 2020 coincides with the centennial of the 19th Amendment’s ratification, which granted female suffrage. The short also hopes to encourage voter turnout in the next presidential election.
Support “Into Light” on Fractured Atlas.
“Young Love: A WWII Love Story” (Short) – Written and Directed by Kendra Thatcher
A “Young Love” storyboard
In a promo video on Kickstarter, writer-director Kendra Thatcher says she was partially inspired to make this movie because of her own grandparents, whose marriage was interrupted by WWII while her grandfathered served. Thatcher also did a lot of research on similar couples, and stressed how she felt these stories of temporarily separated love are romantic.
In the tale she’s crafted, “Young Love” focuses on a 17-year-old photographer named Ruth, who waits for her playful boyfriend, James, to return. While she does so, she reminisces about their relationship, while snapping photos of their old haunts, and wearing James’ hat — a parting gift to remember him by — until he can return to Ruth.
The script is finished, and the short has been storyboarded. Thatcher hopes to raise funds for casting, locations, costumes, set pieces, props, food, equipment, and festival submission.
Support “Young Love” on Kickstarter.
“Blue Hearts” (Docuseries) – Created by Rochelle Holland
“Blue Hearts”
Rochelle Holland wants to see a series of documentaries that highlight different NYPD officers who succumbed to cancer after working at Ground Zero on or following 9/11. It is a personal subject, Holland having lost her own father to one such disease. He was a Post 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Officer for the NYPD.
Holland wishes to tell his story, and that of the other officers, so they are never forgotten. She also wants to show the humanity of each victim, so viewers will connect with them as a person — a beloved family man, an appreciated employee, and so forth. She plans on sharing these recorded stories with other surviving NYPD family members.
Holland is very determined to complete this series. She desires to raise funds to update the camera and filming equipment, and for other production services.
Support “Blue Hearts” on Kickstarter.
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.
