CURRENT
WORKS
Venus, Priests, and Superwomen
Venus, Priests, and Superwomen captures the tumultuous
climate that exploded on Providence College’s campus when
President, Father Brian J. Shanley, proclaimed that The Vagina Monologues did not reflect the college’s Catholic mission. Eve Ensler’s
The Vagina Monologues, performed by college students as a way to
raise awareness about sexual violence, has become a potent feminist
icon for many women around the world, but for others, the play has
fueled controversy. In December 2006, Father Shanley’s decision
to ban the production sparked a large protest at Providence College.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"Venus,
Priests, and Superwomen depicts the fight for women's rights at
its very core. This film shows how women and men can come together,
in the face of sexism, and fight for the rights of women and the
end of sexual assault everywhere. The warriors in this film were
not afraid to face the administration of Providence College head
on and demand for what was rightly theirs: a safe space to openly
discuss the existence of sexual assault all over the world and what
can be done to eliminate it."
---Frances Ford, Coordinator at Providence College’s Monologues
2007
(Shifting Visions) point their guerilla cameras at students for
and against the Monologues, at event planners as well as unyielding
administrators. Framing Ensler’s work in the context of art
history, this film investigates the elements that are powerful,
threatening misunderstood. From interviews to protest and
performance footage, Venus Priests and Superwomen digs in with the
kind of attitude that sparks serious dialogue The film leaves you
with the with a resounding message: “Don’t think that
the battle is over.”
---Marianne Messina metroactive
"Venus
Priests and Superwomen is an illuminating and colorful peek into
the brave journey of Providence College students' struggle to present
The Vagina Monologues. This film admirably embraces "veritas' (truth),
PC's motto, while representing a myriad of political perspectives.
Bravo
to this new generation of sheroes!"
--Alix Olson, spoken word artist/activist
What was great about this film is that it left me with questions:
How often do any of us actually reconsider a position when the issue
presents itself again? How often do we stay, and pose the question
again once we've been told No? What does it take to really listen
to, and engage, an opposing view? And, especially: What would happen
if everyone did as these protesters did? - That is, keep talking
with the other side. Food for thought. And conversation.
– Alexandra Jacoby, vagina vérité®
