Women of Protest: A Feminist History Refresher
It wasn’t until 1920 that women were granted suffrage, but it was 1917 when members of the National Women’s Party — Alice Paul, Lucy Burns and others — picketed outside the White House, burning copies of Woodrow Wilson’s speeches and demanding the right to vote. What resulted — mass arrests (most for “obstructing traffic”), unlawful imprisonment and bloody beatings — became known as the Night of Terror, though it’s fair to say most among my generation don’t know it.
The Night of Terror took place on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Workhouse Prison, in Occoquan, Virginia, ordered his guards to teach the suffragists a lesson. For weeks, the women’s only water had come from an open pail. Their food had been infested with worms. But on this night, some 40 prison guards wielding clubs beat the women senseless — grabbing, dragging, choking, kicking and pinching them, according to affidavits recounting the attacks.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is what you get when you stand up to a man who beats his young girlfriend in public. Not the black eye, not the broken nose, but the sense of being a fucking great human being.
Earlier today while I was waiting for the bus I witnessed a man walk up to his girlfriend, who couldn’t have been older than 18, kick her handbag, spit on her and scream in her face that she was a cunt. He walked back into the bus shelter after telling her she was worthless and pathetic and kicking her in the gut then as she tried to follow he turned around to grab her. I got in between them and told him that he should never EVER spit on a woman, hit her or talk to her in that way. He laughed in my face and said he would “fuck me up”. I looked him square in the eye and told him that I was not afraid of him. He proceeded to scream obscenities at her as I took her away from him, then he shouted to me that he could walk round the corner to get people to kill me. Feeling defiant, I said “go on, I dare you, there’re plenty of people around to witness it.” The prick then walked right up to me and head butted me in the nose. I am now sporting a swollen face and the beginnings of a black eye but the police took swabs from my nose to get his DNA and they know exactly who he is. Cunt’s going down for assault. Motherfuckers don’t treat women like that and get away with it. I feel heroic.
Bad fucking ass. You should feel heroic; that’s how you’re supposed to feel after doing heroic things.
Fuck yes.
The Viscera Organization is looking for a Marketing Assistant and for Tour Coordinators. These available positions are for people who speak English fluently, have a working, up-to-date computer, understand Facebook and Twitter, and are fans of film or are seeking eventual jobs in the film industry in marketing, PR, fundraising, and festival programming. A deep interest in genre films and helping minorities achieve success is a huge plus. Requirements include great grammar and spelling and basic grasp of Microsoft Word and Google Docs. College degree not required. Both men and women are encouraged to apply.
For more information on the positions, what’s entailed, and how to apply, please head over to the Viscera Film Festival website and download our Staff Call PDF! You can find it on our main page and on our contact page!
It so happens that I’m on the Board of Directors for the Viscera Organization and I can tell you that we’re a top notch bunch of folks! Join us and help raise awareness for women in genre filmmaking!
One of my favourite parts of the first Elm Street. I love it when Nancy steps between Rod and Glen.
Source: http://maxgehr.tumblr.com
A piece I wrote for Terrorscribe.com's "What Do Horror Fans Want?" series went live today!
A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to write a piece for Terrorscribe.com about what horror fans want in their films. I said sure! Why wouldn’t I? I’m no scholar, but I love the genre and I love talking about the genre. But I was stumped…how do I approach this rather touchy subject when my tastes are so varied? So I took a different tact and I hope you all appreciate what I’m getting at.
So here it is, for your reading pleasure: Lori Bowen: What Do Horror Fans Want?
Tickets to Horrible Imaginings are on sale NOW! The festival is November 10-11 at the Tenth Avenue Theatre in San Diego and features quite a few incredible horror films including some Viscera and Etheria selections such as Maude Michaud’s RED, Rebekah McKendry’s THE DUMP, and Karen Lam’s THE STOLEN and my short STELLA BUIO plays on the first day!
Miguel Rodriguez, of the Monster Island Resort Podcast, loves horror flicks and always puts together an incredible show. If you’re in the area or planning on traveling there that weekend, I highly recommend going! Get your tickets now!
Film: Sybling Rivalry
Winner of the Viscera Film Festival’s inaugural Fresh Blood award for female filmmakers under the age of 18 at the 2012 Carpet Ceremony.
Synopsis: “Sybling Rivalry” is a twisted, dark comedy which examines the dynamics of a dysfunctional family…and what happens when a sister loves her brother to pieces…
About the Filmmaker: Tara-Nicole Azarian began her acting career at the age of 4. Now 13, Tara-Nicole is a multi-award winning actress, director, and writer. She has written and directed four short films so far and is currently writing a feature. She is a freshman in high school and is crazy about Japanese anime.
Train station.
De train! De train!