A Place of Rage; Illusions

A Place of Rage; Illusions

Woman Filmmaker, Documentary, Radical, Activism, African-American, Lesbian

Two films I taught with for years by African American woman filmmakers. Julie Dash went on to make the seminal Daughter of the Dust." "Illusions" is an early feminist short and always a great way to think about the place and exclusions of Black women in filmmaking and early Hollywood. "A Place of Rage" is a celebration of African American women: Angela Davis, June Jordan and Alice Walker. I have since engaged in 2 conversations with its director, Pratibha Parmar, who is a pathbreaking women of color queer feminist filmmaker, about her latest feature on Andrea Dworkin, "My Name is Andrea."

Pratibha Parmar

Julie Dash

Compilation video of dubs used for teaching.

1991

1983

A Place of Rage [1991]: A Celebration of African American women and their achievements within the context of the civil rights, Black Power, and feminist movements. Interviews with Angela Davis, June Jordan and Alice Walker.  Directed by Pratibha Parmar.

Illusions [1983]: "Mignon Duprée, a Black woman studio executive who appears to be white, and Ester Jeeter, an African American woman who is the singing voice for a white Hollywood star are forced to come to grips with a society that perpetuates false images as status quo. Three illusions in conflict with reality." Directed by Julie Dash. Black and White.

‘I’m This. I’m That. I’m Many Things’: Pratibha Parmar on Andrea Dworkin and ‘My Name Is Andrea,' MS

A Place of Rage: Runtime 52 minutes.

Illusions: 34 minutes.

54 mins; 34 mins

https://brooklyn-cuny.yuja.com/V/Video?v=11130704&node=49568872&a=99386721 [starts at 1:30]

https://brooklyn-cuny.yuja.com/V/Video?v=11130666&node=49568724&a=193702483