A Feather Tale

The thing is, I want to write a blog post about this film because I have never in my life seen anything as emotionally devastating, but I am struggling with even recalling the most disturbing moments of the film itself. I think, instead of writing about my digestion of the film, I'm going to write about how much I respect and admire Michele Cournoyer for making this.

Leeper said the animation process required her to actually replay the role of a rape victim by stripping down naked and doing the motions herself. That she had to then sketch each and every moment, and relive that experience 24 times per second, is one of the most strongest and empowering things I have ever heard. The amount of emotional conflict that had to have gone into this work is honestly just breath taking. I can't even imagine myself being strong enough to ever do something so brave for the sake of informing others of how revolting and mentally distressful rape is. I just think it's absolutely the most admirable thing a person could do, is to look their demons in the eye so they can spread the word and help other victims.

I am just in awe of that strength, and I won't ever forget the film. We've watched so many films in Leeper's class, and honestly 20, 30, 40 years down the line I won't remember them all, but this one I will; I already feel it anchored inside me.

Putting that aside, I thought the entire discussion on how men could not make something like that is interesting. I agree, but would that make a man's film about rape not as powerful? I find it interesting that I probably wouldn't have had such a strong reaction to a film about rape through the eyes of a man. So that leaves me with a question: I wonder what the guys in the room were feeling during A Feather Tale?



- R.