There's no question that being an artist in this culture--which does little to support the creative impulse and its contributions to society--just ain't easy. As if it wasn't hard enough just to make art, believe in yourself, and pay your rent, imagine also being a mother.
That's the life that five amazing women lead in Pamela Tanner Boll's new film, Who Does She Think She Is? Pamela, a friend and awesome feminist, also co-produced Born Into Brothels, which won an Academy Award for best documentary in 2005.
This film explores work/family balance, but with a particular lens on mother artists, who struggle to find a balance between what they love and who they love. Full self disclosure: I'm featured as an "expert" in the film. There's even a scene where I'm blogging for feministing! Bonus points for noticing the hilarious title of the post I'm working on if you see the film.
Anyway, check out the blog, watch the trailer below, and, if you're in the New York area, come check out the film at Angelika Film Center starting on Friday, October 17th. On opening night, the 17th, I'll be moderating a post show panel that includes Elizabeth Sackler, Pamela Tanner Boll, and one of the artists from the film.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Who Does She Think She Is?.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/9768
What more do you think needs to be done to support artists or creative impulses?
They're sold out....can you score us tix??
This looks like a wonderful film. If I was on the other coast, I would go see it! When I look at it, I see women who are choosing a life that often does not get a lot of respect and certainly doesn't offer a 401k, yet they follow it because it is fulfilling for them and allows them to explore part of who they are. As a stay at home mom, I often feel like my stage of life right now is similar to what they are doing- I do find a lot of fulfillment while I explore this particular stage of my life (not always, of course, and my life does not reflect all stay at home moms). But I know this is not how most people view stay at home moms. It is interesting how we can see ourselves in others, even though we may be very different. I really wish I could see this movie.
Rosezilla, check on Fandango. I'm pretty sure there are lots o tkts left there. (Maybe not for opening night, but certainly after).
i am an installation artist in Vancouver Washington - i have a November installation coming up called 'pussy' which deals with the language of hate men use to speak about women. my promotional printed material has just been censored by the president of my co-op. please see the offending graphic at www.northbankartistsgallery.com before it comes down and feel free to respond/comment. i believe there should be NO censorship in the arts. i am outraged! it's hard enough to work four jobs and make art w/o this crap on top.
Awesome! I've been looking forward to this after my aunt, who's friends with one of the featured artists, saw it in Asheville and recommended it to me. Wish I could see the opening, though...
Wow - I am so excited to see this! There's a screening next week in LA. I've been thinking a lot about how gender issues and people's expectations of me affect my own art and my image of myself as an artist. And I want to have children soon, though I worry how that will shape my trajectory.
Darn, I would love to see this! But, it is not coming to Michigan - per usual. :(