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Women's film festival coming

Submitted by Adele Weder-Islanders can gear up for the second annual Women on the Verge festival of films from all over the globe, beginning next Wednesday, March 19.
Produced by local filmmakers Karin Hazé and Dafne Salazar, the festival will showcase films that explore the female condition in the context of several distinctive, and sometimes bizarre, North American subcultures. "There are so few women film festivals left in Canada that we felt compelled as video/filmmakers to showcase a selected few," say Hazé and Salazar. The personal expression of these artists demonstrates a common experience of being a woman today. The selected works offer a uniquely female perspective of rituals, traditions and cultures, as well as political, environmental, social and psychological issues.
Women on the Verge will exhibit over 40 films written, directed, produced or otherwise created by women, from all corners of the globe. And it's not always the fluffy, feel-good empowerment stuff either. The feature film "American Gypsy," for instance, depicts the often-creepy subjugation of women in gypsy culture, even in modern America.
On a similar subject but with a totally different themed film, "Queen of the Gypsies", highlights the life of fiery flamenco artist Carmen Amaya, whose dance prowess empowers her far above her less-famous male cohorts.
Shorter films like "Hepa!" "Sound of Steps" and "Unleash" provide more intense glimpses of expression, by use of art, music, and, occasionally, harrowing personal imagery.
This year, several cultural events will take place place in conjunction with the festival. On March 14 at Hanging by a Fibre, conceptual artist Jill Fraser from Vancouver will open a photography exhibition entitled "Particular Moments Revisited" in cojunction with her experimental video work "Wharf Time With Don" presented at the festival. She will also give an art talk about her six years spent in Igloolik, Nunavuut.
Other video artists coming to the Island include Caroline Macdonald, who hails from Britain and is currently working in Berkley, California; and Vancouver's Christine Stewart presenting her video installation/motion image installation "Rivulet."
During the Opening Night Cabaret on March 19 at 7 pm at the United Church, Fraser and Macdonald will collaborate on an improvisation performance, and local artists will perform juggling, cello music, poetry, throat singing and drumming. Interspersed with these performances will be video presentations of animated and experimental video presentations.
"The intention of this event is to encourage all islanders to open their visions and hearts to the world, share their thoughts and enjoy for the next five days the seventh art form: cinema, on the islands," say Hazé and Salazar.
All screenings take place at the United Church in Queen Charlotte; door prizes are offered during the festival. Check the free programme guide available at your local café for screening times and admission fees. For more information, contact Karin Hazé or Dafne Salazar at 559-9023, or email cinemafeast@hotmail.com