[dykeumentary]

In December this film was won the Independent Spirit award in NYC, and the filmmakers held several events in the build-up to the release. i attended a workshop evening that the NY Women in Television and Film held at Eastman Kodak (Kodak had donated some film stock - yes it was shot of film!). The producer and director and some cast members talked about the process of making "Pariah" and showed some of the film. It was informative and really exciting for me - i even took notes for the first time since high school! I appreciated that they took the time to have this event for women -- the film had just been picked up for distribution, and they were very, very busy.

It also fair to mention that the lead actor, while giving an award-winning performance, is straight. So this film is ground-breaking in so many aspects, but not the one where straight people play non-straight roles.

I am happy for this film because it was a looong processs and ultimately successful for a woman producer and woman director. I don't know of another example of a widely released film that has that. I am also happy for this film, and for the film-going audiences, and for myself as a woman visual artist, that a GOOD, independently made film is getting seen.