10 Apr 2016

Maitisong Theater recently showcased a documentary film produced by American filmmaker and award winning producer and director, Mary Dore titled, She is beautiful when she is angry, in celebration of the Ditshwanelo Annual Film Festival’s 16^th year anniversary.

The marvelous and interesting work of art tells the story of the bold, brilliant and sometimes outrageous US women who founded the modern women movement from 1966 to 1971.

The film manages to capture the spontaneous reaction of sheer astonishment and delight from the audience who seem to have waited forever to see the documentary.

Dore clearly knows the territory and her intelligence is shown in the film as she chose the makers and shakers of the early years when the sparks of women’s uprising began.

The film takes us from the founding of the National Organisation Movement of Women where the modern radical began fighting for their rights.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of the US to Botswana, Earl Miller said the festival was one example of dedication to raising awareness of human rights and the marginalised population to create a constructive form of debate and discussion of issues.

“The embassy is proud to support the film festival in addition to the Maitisong Festival which kicks off in a few days. 

The film we see here is courtesy of American film showbiz, publicised between the US and the University  of State Carlifonia,” he said.

Dore made use of the AFS touring film programme which brought American films to audiences’ world wide.

“The film does not shy away from the controversy over race, sexual preference and leadership that were raised in the early days of the movement. 

It beautifully touches the spirit of time, resuscitating, inspiring and entertaining,” he said.

On her part, Dore said she was concerned that women’s issues were often not respected or told as much as they needed to be hence the need for such productions.

“In my country, the story of the early years of the women’s liberation movement which started in the late 60’s there has never been major films in theaters like this film. 

What you get from this film is that history matters. We do documentary because we want people to learn how important these issues are,” she stated.

While in Botswana, Dore will engage with film and media students at the University of Botswana, lead interactive workshops and participate in round table discussions with gender activists, community leaders, writers and poets in Gaborone and Maun. Ends