Podtalk: Wendy Sharon of Wilmette Theatre for ‘This Changes Everything,’ Sept. 13, 2019

CHICAGO – When the world broke open during the historic #MeToo entertainment industry scandal, the incidents were simply the tip of the gigantic iceberg. “This Changes Everything” goes deeper behind the subject of women in film, to expose a system in show business that has consistently lacked in opportunities for female filmmakers and production workers. The historic Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre will screen the documentary as part of a Women Filmmaker Celebration on September 13th, 2019 (7pm), with a panel discussion moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. For more details and tickets, click here. [23]

“This Changes Everything” will be preceded by the short films “Go Go, Boy” (directed by Oriana Oppice) and “Mickey’s Pets” (Ashley Brandon), and the discussion panel will include Oppice, and Mickey Alice Kwapis (subject of “Mickey’s Pets”), in addition to filmmakers Shayna Connelly and Colleen Griffen.

”This Changes Everything”) at the Wilmette Theatre
Photo credit: WilmetteTheatre.com

“This Changes Everything” – produced by the Geena Davis Institute – explores the insidious and system-wide sexism in the entertainment industry, told first-hand by the top tier of the leading female voices, both in front of and behind the camera. These voices include Jessica Chastain, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Zoë Saldana, Reese Witherspoon, Marisa Tomei, Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone and Rosario Dawson. The documentary takes an incisive look at the history, empirical evidence and forces that continue to reinforce gender discrimination and disparity in our culture. Most importantly, the film seeks pathways and solutions, as well as containing a call to action to be more socially conscious about content consumption.

The program was put together by Wendy Sharon, the Executive Director at the Wilmette Theatre. In a short Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Ms. Sharon reflects on the Women Filmmaker Celebration and the her background in being an advocate for the Willmette Theatre and diverse voices in filmmaking.

[25]	By PATRICK McDONALD [26] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [25]