Oakland University Film festival spotlights emergence of modern women's movement

Marking its 34th year, Oakland University's Women and Gender Studies Film Festival will present Feminist Activism Now, with a screening of the film She's Beautiful When She's Angry.The screening and panel discussion will take place from noon - 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, in room 1050 of the Human Health Building on OU's Rochester campus.

The documentary chronicles the emergence of the modern women's movement from 1966 to 1971, with a focus on the women who founded the movement, as well as controversies over race, sexual preference and leadership that arose during its development.

In addition, the film spotlights local and lesser-known activists, including the Boston authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves, the Chicago Women's Liberation Union and grassroots organizations across the country, using never-before-seen archival footage, emotion-filled music from the period and artful re-enactments.

She's Beautiful depicts the early days of the National Organization for Women, when ladies wore hats and gloves, and also features interviews with early feminists such as Kate Millett, Fran Beal and Rita Mae Brown.

"The Women and Gender Studies program is really looking forward to hosting the event," said Ami Harbin, assistant director of the Women and Gender Studies Program and chair of the planning committee for the film festival. We see it as a chance to reflect together about this important time in the history of feminist organizing, in order to better understand what kinds of feminist activism are most needed in our own communities today."

Since its 2014 release, the film has earned "Best Documentary" awards at the Hamburg International Queer Film Festival, Fairhope Film Festival, Independent Film Festival Boston and Mardi Gras Film Festival. The Detroit News called the film "A bubbling cauldron of newfound freedom and energy coming to life, an inspiring reminder of what people of a like mind and heart can accomplish." The film's director, Mary Dore, is an award-winning documentary producer who brings an activist perspective to her films. Find out more about the film at shesbeautifulwhenshesangry.com.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Women and Gender Studies program at (248) 370-2154.