by Reem Girgrah
The Yukon Status of Women Council presents an interactive screening of Twister on May 10 at the Beringia Interpretive Centre
The Yukon Status of Women Council (YSWC) is hosting our second Interactive Film Screening event in Whitehorse. On May 10th at the Beringia Interpretive Centre, the YSWC, in partnership with Whitehorse Blue Bin Recycling, will celebrate “badass women” by screening the over-the-top, action-packed film Twister.
Twister, which was released in 1996, was chosen based on a local Facebook voting poll that had other films like Bend It Like Beckham, Thelma and Louise, and Legally Blonde, as close contenders.
Following up from last year’s Interactive Film Screening event, it will be another great night of food, non-alcoholic drink options, wine, jeers, cheers, and Winterlong beers. Natalka Luciuk, a member of the YSWC, said the idea originated from the local Feminist Film Club. The Feminist Film Club provided people who are in support of improving women’s rights and promoting gender equality the chance to hangout and have some fun.
“I had the idea rolling around in my head for a while to have a larger film event with the same social atmosphere, where we celebrate women in film and witty commentary is encouraged….” Luciuk said. “A friend told me about an event in Toronto called Drunk Feminist Films. They generally show films and encourage viewer participation with the motto that they would rather laugh than cry their way through media representations of identity like gender, race, and sexuality.”
Natalka Luciuk and Molly Pratt, another member of YSWC, brought to life the Interactive Film Screenings in Whitehorse for the first time last year. They screened the female powered classic A League of their Own, which was released in 1992 and stars Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Rosie O’Donnell, Lori Petty and Madonna.
Here’s how the Interactive Film Screening night worked: every person was given a card that provided suggestions for viewer participation tailored specifically to the feature being screened. Anytime Geena Davis (playing “Dottie”) did something we felt was awesome or inspirational we would yell “TO GEENA!” And whenever Tom Hanks (playing “Jimmy Dugan”) was a mess or uncooperative, the crowd yelled “GET IT TOGETHER JIMMY!”
We also yelled “BOO!” anytime there was demeaning commentary, unrealistic beauty standards, or body shaming, and cheer anytime something we like happened. I have to say that there were some other creative cheers as the night went on that kept everyone on their toes, led to hoarse voices for the next day, and sore cheeks from laughter.
Come out to the Beringia Interpretive Centre on May 10 and get ready for some more laughter and fun at our second installment of this unique event, as we honour powerful, smart women, the power of Mother Nature and over the top special effects. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 7 p.m.
There will be drinks and food available for sale (cash only), a silent auction and prizes to be won. Everyone 19 + is welcome, the venue is wheelchair accessible, and there will be closed captioning.
Early bird tickets are available through the Facebook page; it’s called “Twister – An Interactive Film Screening.”
Tickets will be available at the door (cash only).
All proceeds from the event will go to the support the YSWC.
We would like to thank the generosity of our event partner, Whitehorse Blue Bin Recycling, and sponsors for making this event possible: Alkan Air, Ignite Counselling, Winterlong Brewing Co., Investors Group and Jessica Westman, Outpost 31 Media and O’Riordan and Champs Landscaping.
[box] About the Yukon Status of Women Council Founded in 1973, the Yukon Status of Women Council (YSWC) strives to achieve women’s equality through research, advocacy, education, and public policy work. YSWC’s most recent projects include Court Watch Yukon, which seeks to improve the experiences of women who are victims in the legal system and Not Your Fantasy: Sex Trade and Trafficking of Girls and Women in Yukon.[/box]
Reem Girgrah is the Court Watch Volunteer Coordinator at the Yukon Status of Women Council. Originally from Ottawa/unceded Algonquin territory, when she isn’t advocating for human rights you can find her
stand up paddling.
