Magnolia Pictures picked up writer-director Sarah Polley’s latest film, Take This Waltz, for U.S. distribution beginning summer 2012. Polley’s film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Read Katherine Monk’s article here, an interview with Polley in the Toronto Star, and a video of her at The Globe and Mail talking about the film. Visit the film’s website for more information.
Finnish director Zaida Bergroth wins the Gold Hugo in the New Directors competition at the Chicago International Film Festival for her feature film The Good Son. The fest states that Bergroth’s film provides “real psychological insight.” Read my review of it here (third film listed) that I wrote after seeing a screening at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. Visit the film’s website here and click on “English” at the bottom to get a translation.
Mohamed Diab’s film Cairo 678 about the sexual harassment of women in Egypt received the Silver Hugo in the festival’s International Feature Film competition. I wrote about this movie in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Anita Hill’s testimony on Monday of this week. Read the piece here and watch a trailer for the film. Visit the film’s website here.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s documentary Miss Representation on media misrepresentation of women and the dearth of women in positions of influence and power screens tonight on OWN at 9:00 PM (EST). It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The second film in the Women, War & Peace series on PBS, “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” aired on Tuesday night. This film shows the power of Liberian women to band together to demand an end to war and the creation of peace. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Leymah Gbowee, was prominently featured through both interviews and video footage shot during the war in Liberia.
Watch “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” online at PBS.
The next film in the series will be “Peace Unveiled” about women in Afghanistan (airing Tuesday, October 25 on PBS affiliate stations in the U.S.) Check your local listings.
Her Film Archives 
Pray the Devil away almost had me in tears. I can’t wait to see Miss Representation tonight. Thanks for keeping us in the loop about these films. As always love http://www.womenaregamechangers.com. You will be on our F.Y.I. Fridays post tomorrow. So be on the lookout for that.
Yes, me, too. I always find it astonishingly beautiful how those who are most affected by conflict have the wherewithal to rise up and make a change. I’m so thrilled about this Women, War & Peace series! Thanks very much for the FYI post. I like your site and what it’s all about, so nice to know you’re out there.
As I write this I’m watching Miss Representation and it’s already making me sad because of what those young girls are saying. Thank you for the compliment. I really felt that it’s time to push positivity in this world that is shaping us towards negative thoughts and actions on a daily basis. And to empower women to use more than just their bodies. We are valuable and have so much to offer. We need to know our self-worth.