 | THE HOT PINK PEN is an advocate for women directors & screenwriters, creative filmmakers who are generally overlooked by the mainstream media. Even when their work is noticed, however, it's often misunderstood &/or rudely demeaned. THE HOT PINK PEN is now here to right these wrongs, & help women (& men) in audiences everywhere find wonderful films by women filmmakers. THE HOT PINK PEN: |
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Click HERE to download details as a pdf.
Meet Chicago’s beloved cartoonist NICOLE HOLLANDER in person!!!
Sat, Nov 22nd from 2:00 to 5:00
Gallery Pink: 149 Harrison; Oak Park,
21.Nov.08 
Rants: Jan's Wish List, Events: Metro Chicago Only, Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim 
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Click here to download “Jan’s Inauguration Kit” as a pdf.
I have updated my Café Press items for Inauguration Day. Enjoy J
20.Nov.08 zBackfill/Misc Read more Comments (0)
“There was two little minks in the woods. A hunter comes by and shoots one and aims at the other. The first mink turns to his friend and says, ‘See you in shul.’” Belle Barth’s Borscht Belt humor typically involved body parts, so this may well be the cleanest joke she ever told, but I think it captures her savvy, self-mocking schvester style. Belle is the missing link between Sophie Tucker and Bette Midler, and Chicago audiences can meet Belle in the wonderful new show Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends.
Belle Barth is a musical with a book by Joanne Koch, and original songs by Ilya Levinson (music) and Owen Kalt (lyrics). Born Annabelle Salzman, Belle ran her own club in Miami and released eleven best-selling adult party albums in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The highpoint of her career should have been her debut at Carnegie Hall, but a misguided manager “persuaded” her to tone down her lewd material, (where “persuaded” means he threatens to shut her down unless she complies). This new show rests on the premise that Belle is still beating herself up months later because she didn’t have the nerve to call his bluff. Everything that happens in this new show happens during the rehearsal for her comeback. She’s flashing back over her life, and reaching within to try to find the courage to get herself back on stage.
When I called Kalt for more details, he told me: “Writing lyrics for Belle was fun because she didn’t hold back her thoughts or emotions—she let it all hang out.” Here’s a sample: “Dirty little secrets; I like to explore ‘em. Dirty little secrets on a smoky stage. Private little secrets in a public forum made me all the rage.”
Screenwriters take note!!! We typically think of the 1950s as the calm before the storm, but the winds that eventually blew Donna Reed’s skirts to smithereens didn’t gather momentum over night. As I said in my Sept 08 JUFN column, as I watched Belle Barth, I was always aware of two more Jewish-American women, also big and brassy, waiting in the wings: Bella Abzug and Betty Friedan. Did either of them ever see Belle perform live? I can’t say, but I’m willing to bet they both had copies of her LPs J
20.Nov.08 Rants: Jan's Wish List, Events: Metro Chicago Only, Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim Read more Comments Off
Palestinian filmmaker Ibtisam Mara’ana will be in Amsterdam this week to screen LADY KUL EL-ARAB at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam). Click here to read more about Ibtisam’s recent trips to Chgo & NYC. You Go, Girl J
18.Nov.08 Events: WITASWAN & SWAN Day Read more Comments (0)
Download PLAN ‘09 NOW flyer as a pdf.
The election is over & it’s time to begin planning for the next International SWAN Day scheduled for March 28, 2009. (International SWAN Day is always celebrated on the last Saturday of every March = Women’s History Month.) Have YOU made plans for 3/28/09 yet? If not, get busy J
18.Nov.08 Events: WITASWAN & SWAN Day Read more Comments (0)
Read Melisssa Silverstein’s article about Lauzen’s important new recent research! Women in the audience are NOT a “niche.” We are approximately half of humanity & therefore approximately half of all potential ticket buyers, so it’s time we demand the kind of films WE want to see!!!
14.Nov.08 zBackfill/Misc Read more Comments (0)
Last year, when lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman came to the 2007 Chicago Humanities Festival, they told me plans were underway for a new DVD version of Yentl—a special 25th anniversary release. Since that time I’ve checked Amazon faithfully to no avail, but today: HOORAY!!! It’s scheduled for 2/3/09 & available for pre-order!!! For years now, Yentl has been the butt of ignorant jokes, but this new version will undoubtedly provide an opportunity for women everywhere to take emotional ownership of one of the most beautiful & important films made in the 20th century. Do I really believe this? YES I DO!!!
10.Nov.08 Rants: Jan's Wish List Read more Comments (0)
The results are in & the answer is clear: despite overwhelming pressure from well-intentioned Republican activists & smear-meisters of darker intent, Jewish-Americans all across the USA embraced the candidacy of Barack Obama. Meanwhile, here in Metro Chicago, a nice crowd turned out to greet Ibtisam Mara’ana at the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema. I am so proud to be a Jew!
Here’s the local word on Rahm Emanuel: “He can be a ‘mamzer,’ but he’s our mamzer.” Dare we hope for real progress in the Middle East during the Obama Presidency? Where there’s life, there’s hope!!!
06.Nov.08 Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim Read more Comments (0)
Ibtisam Mara’ana, an incredibly courageous young filmmaker, will be at “The Other Israel Film Festival” in NYC this week to screen her new film LADY KUL EL-ARAB (”Lady of All the Arabs”). This is her next stop after the 11/5 screening at the Wilmette Theatre in suburban Chicago. Click here to read more info about LADY KUL EL-ARAB.
03.Nov.08 Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim, Events: WITASWAN & SWAN Day Read more Comments (0)
Ibtisam Mara’ana, an incredibly courageous young filmmaker, will be at the Wilmette Theatre this Weds PM to screen her new film LADY KUL EL-ARAB (”Lady of All the Arabs”). The screening begins @ 6 PM, followed by a Q&A (to be moderated by me). Click here to read more info about LADY KUL EL-ARAB.
This screening is sponsored by the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, & LADY KUL EL-ARAB is my top pick this year in the Doc category. Click here to read my guide to this year’s CFIC for the JUF News. Click here to see a complete CFIC ‘08 schedule, including the list of other CFIC ‘08 films by women filmmakers.
03.Nov.08 Events: Metro Chicago Only, Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim, Events: WITASWAN & SWAN Day Read more Comment (1)
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