Posts by Anne Thériault
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In the Blog
Teriano Lesancha is changing the world for Maasai girls like her
Ryerson graduate, community organizer and activist Teriano Lesancha was one of seven women celebrated at the 35th YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction awards on May 21st. After learning Teriano’s incredible story, it’s not hard to understand why she was chosen for the Young Woman of Distinction Award. She’s absolutely awe-inspiring, and I say that without even a hint of hyperbole. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Q&A with Edge of East’s Jackie Torrens
Anne Thériault interviews documentary filmmaker Jackie Torrens about her latest work, Edge of East, which airs this Saturday on CBC Maritimes. The film, at its core, is about people who love what they love, whether it’s yodelling, Steampunks, or UFO enthusiasts. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Book Review: Elizabeth Hawksworth’s Lake Effect
Anne Thériault reviews Elizabeth’s Hawksworth’s Lake Effect, calling it “a revelation, pure and simple. It’s just a whole lot of goodness packed into a sweet series of vignettes whose brevity make them easy to read during a daily commute or just as you’re drifting off to sleep.” Read more to find out about this alternative history that explores feminism, sexuality, immigration and relationships within the context of “Toronto the Good.” READ MORE
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In the Blog
Review - TIFF’s The Hard Way: The Films of Bette Davis
Have you ever heard of the Bechdel test? Named after the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, the test examines gender bias in film by asking one basic question: does this film feature at least two [named] women talking to each other about something other than a man? It sounds simple enough, and you would think that most movies would pass this test with flying colours, but, in fact, the opposite is true. The truth is that … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Resisting Paradise - A Q&A With Barbara Hammer
This week, the Toronto International Film Festival is running a program called Brave New World: The Films of Barbara Hammer. This three-night survey offers a fascinating retrospective of Hammer’s forty-five year career as a lesbian activist and experimental filmmaker. Hammer’s 2003 film Resisting Paradise, which deals with the concept of art as a tool of political resistance, was especially fascinating to me. Hammer, who was doing a painting residency in Cassis, France, when war broke out … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Proposed Russian Law Will Ban “Gay Propaganda”
On January 25th, Russia’s parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of drafting a law that would ban “gay propaganda.” In fact, of the 389 members of the State Duma (Russia’s lower parliament chamber), 388 supported the law. The proposed ban would have far-reaching consequences that range from removing queer characters from movies and television shows to making gay pride parades, and any other demonstrations supporting or celebrating gay rights, illegal. The law would also make it illegal … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Fatphobia For Art-Lovers
I love Frida Kahlo. Love her. Love her artwork, love her story, love her general sassy bad-assery. To say that she inspires me would be a major understatement. I’ve learned scads of life lessons from her, useful things that run the gamut from realizing what a powerful role art can play in the social justice movement to learning that it’s possible to give zero fucks about what anyone else thinks of you and your appearance. … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Coming Out Wrong with Jesse Dangerously
Halifax rap legend Jesse Dangerously is known for using his music to combat sexism, racism, fat-phobia, homophobia, and a whole lot of other toxic stuff that we encounter in our day to day lives. Dangerously, who is now based out of Ottawa, recently released a song called Coming Out Wrong on the Fun Razor Mix Tape (a collaborative album put together by artists participating in and raising funds for the NOFRIENDS tour). Coming Out Wrong, which … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Rape Culture in Popular Culture
Let’s start out with a few basic facts: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a dreamboat. Like, on a scale of one to super-ultimate-double-plus-dreamboat, he is pretty high up there. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is reaching unprecedented break-my-marriage-vows levels of attractiveness. I would pay good money to watch a movie that was nothing but Joseph Gordon-Levitt sitting on a chair reading the phone book. Not convinced? I present you with Exhibit A: And Exhibit B: [YouTube video of Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing a cover of … READ MORE
