Ep. 59: On Representation in Film & Creating New Archetypes

EQ: Why are women, specifically women of color, underrepresented in media and media production and what can be done to elevate their voices and experiences?

Guest: June Nho Ivers. June is a documentary filmmaker and previously joined us for Episode 55: Understanding Gentrification, Displacement, and Mass Incarceration with the incredible Tonya Wilson. 

Every aspect of this conversation felt like it should be longer. We’ve tried to include links to all the things mentioned in this episode in hopes that you will #belessbasic and learn more about the challenges of representation in media and the way it is changing. 

Movies Mentioned: 

• Cannes Jury led by first Latin American Filmmaker to lead Jury Inarritu

• Parasite by Bong Joon-Ho (spoilers in this review)

• Atlantics by Mati Diop (first African Woman Director)

Shows with a Female Lens:

• Outlander

• Fleabag

• Orange is the New Black

Horror as a sociological genre:

• Midsommar

• Us

• Get out

LGBTQ lens:

• Ryan Murphy

• Glee

• American Horror Story

• Pose

 Asian Diaspora Representation:

• Always be my maybe

• To all the boys I loved article on Jenny Han/ Whitewashing Casting

• Kim's Convenience

Music Conversation

• BTS

• Halsey on Being White Presenting

• 88 Rising - Asian Rappers

Seattle Talent

• Sarah Porkalob

• Diana Huey as Ariel

 Theater

• Jonathan Pryce / Miss Saigon

• Noma Dumezweni as Hermione 

Other Related Links:

• Roger Ebert defending the filmmakers of Better Luck Tomorrow

• Footwork Documentary

• Joji Hopscotch

• It G Ma

Champagne & Real Pain:

• Champagne: Elle Magazine just released their 2019 Women in Hollywood Power List and 6 of the 12 finalists are women of color. 

• Real Pain: NBC - yes, the television network - for attempting to derail Ronan Farrow’s story exposing Harvey Weinstein. 

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Hope: Maureen Goo

• Annie: Go read the Elle Magazine 2019 Women in Hollywood Power List. Women and Hollywood, specifically their resources on Women of Color in media and the importance of representation. 

• June: Free the Work , Harlot, Kingdom

Ep. 45: Not All Theater is Activist, but All is Political

EQ: How can the theater arts be a tool for racial and social justice?

Guest: Sara Freeman, UPS Theatre Department

In this episode we chat about the etymology of dramaturgy,  discuss the power of theater as a medium to both reflect and influence society, and how every choice in theater is intentional (whether the director wanted it to be or not). We discuss the challenges of funding arts programs, finding young artists where they are, and how to intentionally elevate new voices.

Freeman’s Favorite Playwrights:

• Timberlake Wertenbaker “Our Country’s Good”

• Caryl Churchill “The Skriker”

• Sarah Ruhl “Eurydice”

• Naomi Iizuka “36 Views”

• Adrienne Kennedy

Also referenced during the episode:

• 2018 Race & Pedagogy Conference

• C. Rosalind Bell, Tacoma Playwright

• Color Blind to Color-Conscious Casting

Guilty-Favsies:

• Annie: the Best of Broadway on Spotify

• Hope: bingeing short little shows on Netflix

• Sara:Hostess cupcakes;  Belinda Carlisle

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Annie: the Kennedy Center has a variety of resources on arts integration under a program called Arts Edge

• Hope: Support local theater

• Sara: Read August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” and go support local theater by watching “Mojada”  at Tacoma Arts Live. Directed by Maria Tania Barreca, a new professor at UWT