Featuring a pre-recorded post-film Q&A with director Maria Finitzo conducted by Kim Marks, owner of Ashland’s boutique, “As You Like It: A Love Revolution”
November 13-19
Tickets: $10
Ticket Holders will receive a link to register for an exclusive live event on November 19:
AFTERGLOW: The Dilemma of Desire Community Conversation
Join local activist and professional emcee Julie Gillis, as well as film director Maria Finitzo, in an open virtual conversation around the content of the film. This is an interactive event, and participants will be invited to share thoughts, feelings and reactions to the film. Space is limited - reserve your spot and receive the Zoom link by RSVPing using the link in your ticket email receipt.
The Dilemma of Desire is a marvel, fierce in its focus to rewrite the rules of behavior for all to follow. Begone, O Phallusy! The age of Cliteracy is upon us. (Christopher Llewellyn Reed, Hammer to Nail)
AIFF is proud to bring to its “Best of the Fest” monthly series The Dilemma of Desire. This film about female sexual liberation, produced by Kartemquin Films and directed by Maria Finitzo, was selected for AIFF2020 but was unable to be included in our virtual festival program.
The Dilemma of Desire explores the work of four women who are shattering myths and lies about female sexual desire, bodies and - ultimately - power.
Groundbreaking artist Sophia Wallace challenges long-held ideas of women with her “cliteracy” project, putting front and center the clitoris as fundamental to female orgasm. Dr. Stacey Dutton, a neuroscientist who realized she had never seen a drawing of the clitoris until she discovered Wallace’s work, is now committed to studying its biology and pushing the publishing industry to correct the deliberate omissions of the clitoris in major anatomy textbooks. With twenty years of research, Dr. Lisa Diamond is dismantling outdated notions about women’s arousal, and industrial designer Ti Chang heads Crave, a company dedicated to designing and manufacturing elegant vibrators for women. Providing the embodiment of this work are the personal stories of Umnia, Becca, Jasmine, Sunny, and Coriama, five young women discovering and owning their sexuality. For mature audiences.
Director’s Statement: Maria Finitzo
“It seemed like the ground we made during the sexual revolution had been lost. I was surprised by how many women were having bad sex and putting up with it. I’ve had women tell me over and over again that even though they enjoy the hookup culture, they feel like it is too much trouble to ask the person they just had a sexual encounter with for pleasure….We'll never be equal until were seen as equal beings sexually…If you don't think you're worth it sexually, you're not going to demand equal pay or feel free to behave the way you want” (from interview with Maria Finitzo at Bustle.com).
Director: Maria Finitzo
Producers: Maria Finitzo, Cynthia Kane, Diane Quon
Editor: Liz Kaar
Executive Producers: Barbara Kopple, Hugh Schulze, Gordon Quinn
Music: Miriam Cutler
Running Time: 108 minutes
Year: 2020
