Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, “Miss Representation” uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see.
Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America.
The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.
In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader.
While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only three percent of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65 percent of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.
“We particularly wish to extend invitations to young people, parents, teachers and anyone interested in empowering our young women to achieve a fulfilling life,” said Jessie Magleby.
Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as “Miss Representation” accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.
Newsom is a filmmaker, actress, spokesperson and advocate. She wrote, directed and produced the documentary film “Miss Representation”. It debuted at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and made its national broadcast premiere on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
Newsom is the Founder and CEO of MissRepresentation.org, a call-to-action campaign to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to realize their potential.
“We believe in the power of one individual, united with others around a common cause, to change the world,” said Newsom. “And what we have seen at MissRepresentation.org is tens of thousands of individuals uniting to stand up to sexism. Together we are working towards gender parity worldwide.”
“Miss Representation is another suggestion from a community member,” Magleby said. “The Grand County Public Library and The Utah Film Circuit: Moab are delighted with the community’s response and level of participation in this ongoing series.”
