University News
"Until the Violence Stops" Documentary
March 18, 2008
MACOMB, IL -- A benefit screening of the documentary "Until the Violence Stops" will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 24 in Morgan Hall 109 on the Western Illinois University-Macomb campus. Tickets, which are available at the door, are $2 for students and $3 for nonstudents.
"Until the Violence Stops" features playwright and activist Eve Ensler in a powerful film that documents how "The Vagina Monologues" grew into an international grassroots movement called V-Day to stop violence against women and girls. "Until the Violence Stops" shows women from Harlem to Ukiah, CA from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the Philippines and Kenya; uniting and courageously revealing their intimate and deeply painful experiences with abuse ranging from rape to female circumcision.
Director Abby Epstein takes viewers on a poignant journey into the hearts of women and includes revealing testimonies from men, who expose social and cultural attitudes that perpetuate the pervasive violence against women. In emotionally charged interviews and performances, everyday women and celebrities like Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek, Tantoo Cardinal, Jane Fonda and LisaGay Hamilton embrace their bodies, reconcile their past and bond to break the silence that surrounds abuse.
According to Janine Cavicchia, director of the WIU Women's Center, "Until the Violence Stops" is a film about empowerment and the importance of dialogue in the healing process.
"This moving documentary leaves the audience with hope that change can happen," she added.
In 2004, "Until the Violence Stops" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and on Lifetime Television. It has been screened at the Amnesty International Film Festivals in Amsterdam and Vancouver, where it won top honor, the Gold Audience Award, as well as at the Miami and Maui Film festivals. Toni Childs, David Ricketts and Eddie Free received the 2004 Emmy award for "Best Original Song" for "Because You Are Beautiful."
WIU's V-Day Campaign is sponsored by the Women's Center and the Feminist Action Alliance student organization. According to Women's Center graduate assistant Rebecca Groves, who is coordinating this year's campaign, all proceeds from V-Day 2008 ticket and merchandise sales will go to local, national and international efforts to prevent violence against women and survivor support services.
For more information, contact the Women's Center at womenscenter@wiu.edu. To learn more about
V-Day International, visit www.vday.org .
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: