FEMINIST FRIDAY: Darling Mag’s ‘Selfie’ Docu & ‘Light Of The Moon’ Film Tackles Sexual Assault

There’s a lot of craziness going on in the world right now, and at times we feel so helpless seeing the endless stream of negative news reports on a daily basis. Although it’s easy to get overwhelmed, the truth is there is something each one of us can do to make the world a better place and spread light. The way we choose to do that is by sharing valuable content on our site and supporting the voices of women especially. Our regular Feminist Friday feature is also our way of adding to conversations about intersectional feminism, and this week we have some great content to share with you.

The first is a documentary called ‘self(i.e.)’ produced by Darling Magazine in partnership with Aerie. In the lead up to the release, Darling have released a 10-part promotional web series using footage from the film, where each one focuses on a different topic. ‘Self(i.e.)’ is a feature-length documentary about the search for self-esteem in a retouched world.

“Featuring over 80 interviews with influential women from age 8 to 80, the film explores the history and impact of retouching, as well as the dangers of its unchecked use in social media. As the number of eating disorders, mental health diagnoses, and body image issues skyrocket, “self(i.e.)” will present a hopeful alternative to impossible fake standards; one found only by rising up together to celebrate our real beauty,” says a description.

Some of the feature interviews include Debby Ryan, Ingrid Nilsen, Iskra Lawrence, industry experts and the executive teams of Darling & Aerie. With topics such as perfection, comparison, identity, and retouching to choose from, we are sharing one that resonated with us: approval.

The second video is a trailer of a new indie film called ‘Light Of The Moon’, written and directed by Jessica M. Thompson. Starring Stephanie Beatriz (‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’), the central story line tackles a timely topic we have seen exploding in news media over the past few months – sexual assault. The film also dives into themes of self-blame and ongoing trauma which leads many victims to stay silent about assault (even from those closest to them), and offers an insight into this phenomenon that can hopefully change the conversations being had about why victims are often so afraid to come forward.

The story centers on Bonnie, a young and successful Latina architect, is sexually assaulted while walking home from an evening out with friends in Brooklyn. At first, she attempts to keep the assault a secret from her long-term boyfriend Matt, but the truth quickly emerges. Returning to her old life is more complicated than expected. Her attempt to recapture the intimacy she previously had with Matt falters and cracks begin to surface in their relationship. Another attack in the neighborhood only drives Bonnie further into denial, before an encounter with an at-risk woman forces her to face the truth and confront her own self-blame.

“I am humbled to tell this important story, especially at such a crucial time, when rape culture has become prolific on campuses, in our media, and in our power structures,” said director/writer Jessica in a statement, adding that the story was based on real life circumstances that her friends went through, as well as extensive research about the topic.

“In the United States alone, one in five women will be raped in her lifetime. This statistic is horrific and has no place in a modern, “equal” society. Yet, considering the amount of people who are affected by sexual assault in the world, it is an issue very few people want to discuss and it has rarely been portrayed in film and television in a realistic manner. There has been a spike of films and television shows using rape as a “plot point”, but without showing the impact on the victim,” she added.

“There is a tendency to unrealistically portray women avenging their assault and attacking their rapists. The likelihood of this in reality is beyond rare, and I think this adds-in some part-to society’s rape culture of victim blaming, by arguing that the victim should have fought back more. This is precisely why this film needs to be seen around the world; so we can open the dialogue and lift the stigma associated with sexual assault,” she concluded in her press statement.

Our final video comes from Berlin-based singer/songwriter Sumera, who recently released her single ‘Faith’, which is out now on Don Diablo’s HEXAGON imprint. A self-proclaimed, “Wild Feminist,” Sumera tackles the idea of what it means to be an empowered woman in the 21st Century. As a self-made woman, writing, producing and creatively overseeing her music, Sumera details the constant push and pull in the fight to liberate herself of all that oppression and that guilt and that shame that historically silenced and executed [women].All of these ideals are clearly brought together as she explores what it means to fully connect with another human being – on a purely sensual level – in the intimate, brooding, and delicate “F A i T H.”

The video for “Faith” was shot by, directed by, and stars Sumera herself. As a whole, “Faith” is about finding strength in making your vulnerability visible without succumbing to the idea that vulnerability equals weakness.

“I am vulnerable. I am brutally soft. And I am powerful. Without vulnerability, strength and independence lose every bit of their worth,” shared Sumera in a statement about her release. Watch the music video below:


 

 

 

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