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CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE explores the same women's and men's reactions to the groundbreaking film, THELMA & LOUISE, 25 years ago and today.
Powerful, authentic, and timely, CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE dives off the edge into the truth of women's experience in the world. It revisits the journey of Thelma & Louise through the lens of viewers who saw that iconic film in 1991 and shared intimate, personal, stories at that time. The same women and men were tracked down 25 years later. Are their responses different now? Has anything changed in the way women are treated?
Interview commentary mixes with clips from "Thelma & Louise" to reveal why this cinema classic continues to resonate with millions of viewers, the world over. Christopher McDonald, who played Thelma's husband, and Marco St. John, who played the truck driver, offer an insider's viewpoint.
87 and 54 minutes
SDH Captioning for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
Directed by Jennifer Townsend
Produced by Jennifer Townsend
Director of Photography: Stuart Ferrier
Editor: Sarah Ferrier
Consulting Editor: Dina Guttmann
Original Music: Stephen Thomas Cavit
A Far Beyond Film Production
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"Provides invaluable insight as to why this film endures as a metonymy for feminist consciousness, the pleasure and resistance of women's bonding, and righteous rage against rape culture."
"Fascinating and provocative...We learn from intense debates about whether the film is feminist or not, about a pernicious sexism that continues today, about injustice to women, and about a continuing rape culture. This film offers a powerful pedagogical opportunity for college courses in the humanities and social sciences. It's sure to trigger intense debate..,and strong emotions - the perfect place to start thinking about complex, enduring, socio-political concerns regarding gender and sexuality."
"Powerful...grabs you and doesn't let you go just because you finished watching it. Some films provoke animated conversations and robust engagement. This is one of them."
"It is as moving to see the women in this film respond to their younger selves' responses to Thelma & Louise as it is to hear the responses themselves, both 25 years ago, when the film was released, and now, with all of the life experience and cultural changes over the past quarter century."
"In the #MeToo era, it's eye-opening and sobering to hear the interviewees discuss their personal responses to the film's depiction of assault and revenge and whether the controversy and awareness that the film provoked has had any lasting impact on society or the movie industry."
"Townsend's well-researched and beautifully composed documentary challenges you to recall and reflect upon your own responses to Thelma & Louise, and to remind us that movies really do influence the ways in which women think about ourselves and our lots in life."
"Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise is a powerful reminder of the ability of film to shine a light on important topics in our society. Incorporating different viewpoints on a film that broke many barriers, the documentary provides us with a unique look at the ways in which films impact us and how our reception of a film may not be the same as someone else's. This documentary would make a wonderful addition to any course that explores topics dealing with feminist media or audience reception analysis."
"Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise is a meditation on the profound and enduring impact that popular culture can have on the American public. Sadly, while time has passed, director Jennifer Townsend's film shows the ways in which very little has changed for women in regard to agency and safety both on and off screen. This film is a must see in the #MeToo era."
"Movies matter...This innovative documentary focuses on the feminist afterlife of a beloved classic...CATCHING SIGHT deftly interweaves autobiographical interviews of the film's original audiences with aesthetic contemplations of how popular movies can lead to social movement and political empowerment. It's a poignant, conversation-starting film that would work particularly well in the classroom or at feminist community events."
"Insightful and often passionate interviews...The results are fascinating...Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise is a surprisingly multi-layered documentary...Appropriately, like the film that inspired it, it tends to linger in the memory for some time afterward."
"Ridley Scott's classic raised questions we're discussing today around feminism and the #MeToo movement, making CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE so relevant. This documentary offers thoughtful insight throughout."
"This uniquely touching documentary shows how impactful art can be, how many people it can reach and just how long it can last...These heartwarming and heartbreaking collection of voices would make Thelma and Louise, themselves, very proud."
"Refreshing and necessary...Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise is...a mirror of sorts, reflecting the work of strong movements and activism to bring a change."
"What struck me most about the film is how it got people talking...it's especially important for a film like this to be shown on college campuses and in today's political climate, where sexist and misogynistic remarks have become part of campaigns for even the highest office in the land."
"All great films live on in the minds and hearts of audiences - Thelma & Louise is no exception...Mixing footage of the original film with insights from viewers and scholars, Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise explores the #MeToo issues that galvanized feminists of the second wave and shows their relevance to the present day."
"Soul-stirring...Once you've seen it, by all means share your thoughts. You'll be blown away at the cultural pressure on women not to rock the boat."
"The film connects the personal reflections and experiences of audience members - sometimes sharing empowered memories, and sometimes tragic ones - with larger questions about the way our societal and legal systems continue to marginalize and oppress women, especially in cases of sexual assault. The result is a nuanced and unapologetically feminist film that links audience reception with smart and spirited analysis of the movie itself."