The Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE) have been hosting Femme Film Fridays on campus for the past five years. The monthly film event is focused on themes of feminism, intersectional experiences, socioeconomic status and gender justice. On Friday, Feb. 21, CWGE showed the 2019 film “Just Mercy” in honor of Black History Month.
“Just Mercy,” a true story, is a thriller based on the book of its same name. The story follows the life of public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson and Walter McMillian, a Black man sentenced to death for a crime he was wrongfully convicted of. The story highlights the fight for racial justice, and spurred insightful dialogue among those at the film showing.
Lariesha Lee, the assistant director of CWGE, said the main goal of Femme Film Fridays is to create a space for meaningful discussion in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
“While the films highlight various topics related to gender, we are most excited about fostering open conversation and encouraging students to engage with diverse perspectives,” Lee said.
Lee said CWGE staff hopes students leave Femme Film Fridays feeling empowered and informed about topics that can be hard to talk about and understand.
“By seeing diverse representations and real-world issues portrayed in film, students can develop a deeper understanding of systemic inequalities and the importance of advocacy, activism and allyship in their communities,” Lee said.
Johanna Montalvo-Tinoco, a CWGE student facilitator, said the center is very intentional with the movies they choose to show. Selections are a team effort at CWGE.
“I try to show films and lead discussions that seek to include identities that are often forgotten and overlooked,” Montalvo-Tinoco said. “Last semester, I chose to spotlight “Finding Dawn” to highlight the epidemic of missing or murdered Indigenous women.”
Femme Film Fridays are hosted in various locations throughout the school year, including the CWGE lobby and campus living centers. During colder months, CWGE intentionally hosts screenings in on-campus living centers to meet students where they are at.
“We recognize that winter can bring increased feelings of isolation, disconnection and a lack of community for many students,” Lee said. “Our goal is to provide space, foster connection and create a sense of belonging during this time.”
CWGE plans to continue hosting Femme Film Fridays monthly. The next screening will be “Assassination Nation” on Saturday, March 29. The satirical, horror and crime movie focuses on the condemnation of violence against women and calls viewers to action against patriarchy.
“As Ava DuVernay (an award-winning filmmaker, producer and screenwriter) once said, ‘If your dream only includes you, it’s too small,’” Lee said. “Video has the power to educate, provoke thought and inspire action. By engaging in dialogue around these films, students can expand their perspectives and recognize the impact of collective storytelling in driving social change.”
