Personal Reflections
This is a space to share and celebrate women’s stories, as well as the shared stories about women that inspire us all. Through thoughtful writing, we explore resilience, connection, and the moments that shape our lives.
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Protecting Whimsy: Tigard High’s “Merry Wives of Windsor”
In Tigard High’s “Merry Wives of Windsor,” whimsy became something more than comic relief — it became defiance. This was Shakespeare filtered through jazz, rhythm, and rebellion: a queer, feminist, and joyously modern retelling shaped by courage, community, and play.
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“Dracula”: A Ballet in Shadow and Flame
In Oregon Ballet Theatre’s “Dracula,” myth becomes movement — desire, fear, and grace rendered in shadow and flame. A ballet not watched, but felt: a haunting danced into silence.
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The Pearl and the Princess: Standing Before “Infanta María Ana de Austria” (1630)
Before the ballet curtain rose, I found myself in another theater — the European galleries of the Portland Art Museum. There, among centuries of ceremony and silence, one portrait held me still: Felipe Diriksen’s Infanta María Ana de Austria, a woman painted into history yet still, somehow, alive.
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“Dracula”: The Gothic Reimagined as Ritual
Lakewood Theatre’s 2025 revival of “Dracula” doesn’t seek to modernize him — it excavates him. A world drained of color, where red appears only by permission, transforms the Gothic into ritual. What emerges is not nostalgia, but endurance: a reflection of power, control, and the ghosts still haunting us.
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“Dial M for Murder”: Soft Drapes, Sharp Edges
Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s “Dial M for Murder” was more than a clever thriller — it was a reclamation. Under Karlyn Love’s direction, Margot and Maxine carried the heart of the story, transforming a mid-century classic into a matinee worth preserving in the archive.
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The Dub That Drifted Ashore: Disney’s ‘Snow White’ in German, 1938
In 1938, a cast of displaced performers gathered in an Amsterdam studio to record a German dub of Disney’s “Snow White.” Decades later, their voices quietly resurfaced on the Internet Archive — a fragile piece of film history that survived by accident, not design.
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“Peter and the Wolf”: The Cassette That Taught Me to Listen
Before ballet or theatre, there was Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” A childhood cassette — narrated by Cyril Ritchard and illustrated by Erna Voigt — became an early lesson in rhythm, storytelling, and wonder. Decades later, its echoes still linger every time the orchestra begins to play.
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“The Crucible”: A Reckoning in High School Theatre
Performed by Gen Z students, Tualatin High School’s “The Crucible” was no classroom exercise. This production reframed Miller’s allegory for a generation raised amid misinformation and division, with non-binary voices, young women in authority, and performances that turned warnings of the past into urgent, present-tense theatre.
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‘Othello’ and the Age of Whispers: Women’s Voices in the Noise of Social Media
Shakespeare’s “Othello” shows that ruin is born not of proof but of persuasion, not of silence but of refusal to listen. Online, too, the chorus favors rumor over truth, leaving women’s voices—like Desdemona’s and Emilia’s—resonant yet unheard until the curtain falls.
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More Than One Voice: This American Stands with Global Allies
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Leadership changes, policies shift, but bonds between nations—between people—run deeper than any administration. As an American, I choose to stand with global allies. Trust, respect, and shared values matter more than political whims.
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Haunting Together: Reimagining Love Between The Bride and Madame Leota in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion
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The Haunted Mansion isn’t just a ride at Disneyland—it’s a realm where stories linger and spirits entwine. Among its ghosts, The Bride and Madame Leota stand out. What if they were lovers, their bond transcending life and death? Reimagining their connection adds a timeless depth to Disneyland’s most enchanting attraction.
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Enough Words: Allyship Demands Accountability to All Women
Allyship isn’t a label or performance—it’s action. It’s about dismantling harm, amplifying women’s voices, and holding yourself accountable without expecting recognition. Empty gestures and silence perpetuate inequality. Women deserve more than words; they deserve real change. It’s time for men to step up, show up, and make accountability their priority.
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The Unwritten: Exploring What ‘Je Tu Il Elle’ Doesn’t Say
Chantal Akerman’s “Je Tu Il Elle (1974) is about loneliness and connection. It focuses on silence and small, everyday moments to explore intimacy in a raw, honest way.
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The Inn as a Battleground: Spaces of Suspense in “The Fate of Lee Khan”
In “The Fate of Lee Khan”, a remote inn becomes a stage for intrigue, deception, and survival, driven by an extraordinary cast of all-women heroes. Sharp-witted, resilient, and underestimated, they navigate a dangerous web of secrets and power. King Hu’s vision transforms the confined space into a masterclass in suspense and strength.
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‘She-Ra’ and the Fight Worth Fighting: Lessons from Two Generations of Rebellion
For me, She-Ra is more than an animated show—it’s a reflection of what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself. From the original’s bold simplicity to the reboot’s layered nuance, it’s a reminder that allyship, resilience, and hope are the heart of any meaningful rebellion.
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Love, Power, and Resistance: A Feminist Reading of ‘The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant’
Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s 1972 film, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant) is a masterclass in emotional power dynamics and gendered relationships, unfolding within the confines of a single room—a space both lush and claustrophobic, adorned with mannequins, heavy fabrics, and opulent furniture that suffocates.
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Why Girli’s “Matriarchy” is the Glitter-Covered Anthem We Need Right Now
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Girli’s “Matriarchy” is a glitter-soaked anthem of feminist joy, turning rebellion into celebration — proving protest can sparkle, dance, and imagine a bolder world.
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Uncovered: A Woman’s Account of Disney’s “The Skeleton Dance” in 1929
A forgotten diary, uncovered in the shuttered Roxy Theatre in New York City offers a vivid glimpse into 1929 Chicago and the premiere of Disney’s “The Skeleton Dance”. Through the eyes of Evelyn Harper, experience the wonder of a groundbreaking cartoon that turned skeletons into stars and redefined animation history.
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On Withholding, and Letting a Story Remain
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This reflection is not an explanation of a story, but a record of restraint. It considers what it means to withhold, to listen without claiming, and to let a story remain where it belongs—untouched by urgency, ownership, or instruction.
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The Heartbeat of the Stage: Kabuki and the Art of Remembrance
Rediscovered from a 2019 Portland Art Museum visit, this reflection traces kabuki’s transformation from women’s art to theatrical legend. Through Toyohara Kunichika’s haunting triptych, it considers how performance remembers what history forgets — and how every gesture, even centuries later, still carries the heartbeat of the stage.
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Why Women Still Have to Explain Themselves—America Ferrera’s ‘Barbie’ Speech Says It All
In “Barbie”, America Ferrera delivers a monologue so raw and true it stops the film in its tracks. This isn’t just a moment in a movie; it’s a wake-up call. The real question is: Is everyone listening?
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Embracing Independence: Alexandra’s Journey in ‘Playgirl’ (‘That Woman’, 1966)
In “Playgirl” (That Woman, 1966), Eva Renzi’s Alexandra Borowski embodies independence and quiet resilience. Against 1960s Berlin’s vibrant backdrop, she confidently navigates life on her own terms. Will Tremper’s film captures her authenticity and ambition, celebrating the timeless allure of carving a bold, unapologetic path and living authentically in every moment.
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Why ‘Go Fish’ Feels Like Memory
An observational reflection on ‘Go Fish’ and its refusal of urgency or resolution. Scenes unfold mid-conversation, intimacy remains social, and meaning gathers quietly — a film that behaves more like memory than narrative.
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The Feminist Farce: Letting Women Be Ridiculous Without Being Reduced
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What happens when women are allowed to be messy, funny, and desirous—without being diminished by the joke? This companion essay explores feminist farce, interior chaos, restrained intimacy, and the power of letting women be ridiculous without reducing them.
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Pirates in the Queue: Anne Bonny and Mary Read Have Some Notes
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Hidden in a quiet corner of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean queue, Anne Bonny and Mary Read watch silently from their mural. Often overlooked, these legendary pirates have stories to share—about their lives, Captain Redd, and what piracy truly meant. Look closer, and their untold tale might just come alive.
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The Radical Power of Being Unremarkable in ‘I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing’
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A reflection on “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” and the rare power of a protagonist who is not asked to improve, arrive, or become legible. An essay on restraint, interior life, and the freedom of being left intact.
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The Timeless Anxiety of Waiting: ‘Cléo’ and the Art of Existential Cinema
In Agnès Varda’s “Cléo de 5 à 7” (Cléo de 5 à 7), the common experience of waiting is elevated into a compelling examination of self-identity, death and self-knowledge. With Cléo’s Parisian quest, Varda sculpts a tale so personal and deep it continues to challenge and amaze audiences for generations.
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How ‘Their Finest’ Sheds Light on Women in Wartime Filmmaking
Lone Scherfig’s “Their Finest” highlights the struggles and triumphs of women in Britain wartime filmmaking, revealing how they fought for recognition in a male-dominated industry while shaping stories that inspired a nation.
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The Weight of a Glance: How ‘Black Girl’ Speaks Through Visuals
In Black Girl (1966), Ousmane Sembène crafts a quietly devastating portrait of isolation, resilience, and identity. Through Diouana’s gaze and stark surroundings, the film reveals the weight of cultural displacement and the silent strength of a woman navigating erasure. Explore how silence and imagery tell her story.
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The Desert as a Character: How Landscape Shapes Desire in ‘Desert Hearts’
In Donna Deitch’s “Desert Hearts” (1985), love unfolds against the vast, untamed Nevada desert—a setting as transformative as the romance itself. Through moments like a rain-soaked kiss and a train station farewell, the desert becomes more than a backdrop; it’s a silent witness to courage, connection, and the quiet risks of love.
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Blurring the Lines Between Fact & Fiction: Lessons from ‘The Watermelon Woman’
Cheryl Dunye’s “The Watermelon Woman” blurs the lines between fact and fiction, creating a story that feels both personal and universal. It’s a film about reclaiming erased voices and rethinking how history is told—proving that sometimes, the most powerful truths are found in the stories we create ourselves.
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The Art of Observation: Painting as a Metaphor for Intimacy in ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’
Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is a breathtaking study of intimacy, art, and belonging. In this essay, I explore its gentle grace, the intimate connection between its characters, and why it remains a statement of love, of memory, and of liberating wholeness resulting from lasting visibility.
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Feminism and Anarchy: The Political Heart of ‘Daisies’
Věra Chytilová’s 1966 feminist and political masterpiece “Daisies” (Sedmikrásky) is a Czech New Wave classic that shatters societal norms and cinematic conventions. With its surreal imagery and rebellious energy, it boldly confronts gender roles, authoritarianism, and consumerism. Discover why its powerful message continues to resonate today.
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Rewriting the Wild West: If ‘The Great Train Robbery’ Starred Only Women
What if 1903’s The Great Train Robbery featured an all-women cast? Reclaiming the outlaw narrative, it would spotlight resilience, survival, and strategy. This bold reimagining challenges early cinema’s norms, inviting us to reflect on untold stories and the transformative power of representation in shaping the narratives we create and celebrate.
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Sisterhood as Sanctuary: Community and Resistance in ‘Mädchen in Uniform’
Leontine Sagan’s “Mädchen in Uniform” (1931) shows how quiet moments speak volumes. Within the rigid walls of a Prussian boarding school, sisterhood becomes a sanctuary. Through shared laughter, rebellion, and care, the girls find strength in connection. This revolutionary film redefines resistance through the quiet power of community and compassion.
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The Roads We Don’t Take: How ‘Summertime’ Captures the Weight of Choice
Catherine Corsini’s “Summertime” (2015) is a French film that explores love’s beauty and the weight of impossible choices. Set in 1970s France, it follows two women navigating passion, family ties, and self-discovery—a moving story of connection and sacrifice that stays with you long after the credits roll.
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Fragments of Connection: An Ode to the Women in “Certain Women”
Kelly Reichardt’s “Certain Women” (2016) is a film that doesn’t explain itself—it simply unfolds, quietly and powerfully. It lingers in silences, in fleeting connections, and in lives shaped by solitude and resilience. It’s a story that stays with you, asking you to look closer, to feel more, and to truly listen.
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“The Haunting”: Fear, Vulnerability, and the Shadows Within
Robert Wise’s “The Haunting” (1963) is a masterclass in psychological horror, blurring the line between supernatural terror and Eleanor Lance’s emotional turmoil. Explore the oppressive force of Hill House, Theodora’s rebellious defiance, and the film’s haunting ambiguity that compels us to confront the shadows within ourselves.
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Momentum in Motion: How ‘The Way Things Go’ Reflects the Art of Storytelling
A quiet reflection on “The Way Things Go” and why its chain reactions feel so satisfying—how momentum, trust, and unseen structure mirror the art of storytelling itself. A reminder that when things are set in motion with care, inevitability can feel like magic.
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A Love Letter to Imperfect Endings: What ‘Somebody I Used to Know’ Says About Closure
“Somebody I Used to Know,” starring Alison Brie, isn’t your typical romantic comedy. It’s a heartfelt exploration of closure, self-discovery, and what it means to embrace life’s imperfect endings. Dive into this moving story about revisiting the past and finding the courage to step into the unknown.
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The Elegance of Silence: Why “Carol” Speaks Louder When It’s Quiet
Some films shout; “Carol” whispers. Todd Haynes’ 2015 masterpiece uses silence to speak volumes, capturing the unspoken connection between Cate Blanchett’s poised Carol and Rooney Mara’s shy Therese. With its quiet intimacy, lush 1950s aesthetic, and tender moments, Carol lingers in the heart long after the credits roll.
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Zoom In, Zoom Out: Life Lessons from “Powers of Ten”
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Perspective changes everything. Inspired by the Eames’ 1977 short film “Powers of Ten”, this post explores how zooming in and out—both literally and metaphorically—can reshape how we approach life. From seeing the big picture to savoring small details, discover how this simple idea can transform your mindset every day.
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How ‘Miss Pinkerton’ Sneaks Feminist Vibes Into a 1930s Mystery
Pre-Code Hollywood let women lead. In “Miss Pinkerton”, Joan Blondell’s savvy Nurse Adams takes charge in a moody mystery that’s more feminist than you’d expect.
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Her Body, Her Choice
A woman’s autonomy is not up for debate. Yet today, the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade—stripping away a fundamental right and forcing millions into fear, uncertainty, and an unrelenting fight. No man should have the power to control a woman’s body. Ever. Her body. Her choice. Not yours to decide.
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Reflections of a Quiet Ally: Listening, Learning, and Supporting All Women
This post is my quiet commitment: to listen deeply, to amplify women’s voices, and to stand beside them with humility and purpose. It’s not about being loud or taking center stage—it’s about consistent, thoughtful allyship. Together, quiet and vocal allies can create ripples of change that reshape the world.
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Split Reflections: What “Persona” Says About Womanhood
What happens when identities blur, boundaries dissolve, and two women become mirrors of each other? Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 Persona isn’t just a film—it’s a haunting meditation on womanhood, intimacy, and the masks women wear, raising timeless questions about connection, expectation, and the fractured beauty of selfhood.
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Breaking the Mold: Women Leading the Narrative in Turkish Airlines’ Super Bowl Film
Amid the chaos of flashy Super Bowl ads, “The Journey” caught my attention with its quiet elegance and intrigue. What truly stayed with me, though, were the two women at its heart—dynamic, purposeful, and refreshingly complex. Their story left a lasting impression, and here’s why it matters.
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Their Love, Their Way: A Celebration of Courage and Connection in Las Vegas
Some love stories stay with you long after they end, and this one is no exception. In “Start Your Future Today with a Romantic Las Vegas Wedding”, two women navigate love, fear, and family in a way that’s both heartfelt and inspiring. It’s a celebration of courage, connection, and unshakable love.
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“Free the Nipple?” A Film, a Question, a Double Standard
When something as ordinary as a nipple becomes a battleground, the stakes are larger than skin. This post revisits the New York Times Op-Doc “Free the Nipple?” and asks what it reveals about law, culture, design, and who decides women’s bodies can — or cannot — be seen.
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Threads of Light, Layers of Color: Exploring Abstract Utopia in Modern Art
This analysis delves into the concept of abstract utopia through the art of Naum Gabo and Josef Albers, examining their innovative approaches to color, form, and space. By connecting their work to movements like De Stijl and Bauhaus, it uncovers modern art’s enduring quest for simplicity and idealism.
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Courage in a Swimsuit: Reflections on Brittany Gibbons’ TEDx Talk
Sometimes, courage means standing in a swimsuit and saying, ‘This is me.’ Brittany Gibbons’ TEDx talk at BGSU is a heartfelt reminder of the power of vulnerability, humor, and self-acceptance. Her story inspired women to reclaim beauty on their terms—and it left me reflecting on what bravery really looks like.
Scott Bryant 