Her Form: Exploring Women’s Stories

Curated by Isadora Lambert

Through a series of unique films from the SFSU Student Archives, Her Form: Exploring Women’s Stories, examines how the physical body affects identity. The female filmmakers at the head of these films each deal with the body, through topics such as sexuality, homelessness, and weight loss. Each of these films stresses the importance of women sharing their perspectives and telling their own stories.   

Carmen of the Eighties (1987)

This poetic piece directed by Beverly Berning explores the mind of its female protagonist through sound and movement. The relationship between “the woman” (Mastopietro) and “the man” (Castano) is showcased without dialogue, allowing the intricate composition of frame to take center stage. Berning’s precise and thought-provoking work navigates femininity and the inner-working of her subjects. (Isadora Lambert)

Year: 1987
Director: Beverly Berning
Runtime: 9 minutes
Starring: Joanna Mastopietro, Silvano Castano
Cinematography: Elizabeth Berry

Aqueduct (1994)

While at a girls’ summer camp for weight loss, Jessie (Maher) navigates societal pressures, expressed through her peers at camp as well as childhood memories. Vivid colors and images make up the frame, accompanied by a dream-like soundtrack. Ormond’s striking work explores how eating disorders and weight loss affect young women. (Isadora Lambert)

Year: 1994
Director: Rebecca J. Ormond
Starring: Eileen Maher
Runtime: 13 minutes
Cinematography: Michael Anders

The Cleansing Machine (1991)

Pat Baum illustrates the effects of poverty and homelessness in her 1991 film, The Cleaning Machine. The film’s protagonists, Kim and Amy, (Loeffler, Dewolf) separately deliberate loneliness and the effects of their financial positions. This startling film explores how poverty affects the physical body and mental state.  (Isadora Lambert)

Year: 1991
Director: Pat Baum
Runtime: 18 minutes
Starring: Nancy Loeffler, Amy Dewolf
Cinematography: John Campbell

A Goat Named Tension (1992)

Kate Julia Goodnight’s 1992 film centers around “two nannies with kids” (Brownsey, Mendez) As the film progresses, this premise quickly evolves into a spellbinding psychosexual journey.  Goodnight’s witty play on language is combined with bold visuals in her haunting short work.  (Isadora Lambert)

Year: 1992
Director: Kate Julia Goodnight
Runtime: 5:39
Starring: Maureen Brownsey, Suzan Mendez
Cinematography: Caitlin Manning