More Praise for Trilogy
"Women's mysteries are blood mysteries, for women bleed without dying. This trilogy dives deep into the mystery. Look if you dare; learn if you will. Claim your blood, Woman, the power of peaceful blood."
"Blood is the internal river of life that we all share as human beings and menstrual blood is what we share as women. Roberta Cantow has blown away the taboo in her wise and wonderful films and opened up a deeper appreciation for womanhood and all that it means to us to be fully female in this dream called life."
"A moving affirmation of what it means to be female. Though the subject is intensely personal, the community aspect we see throughout is so encouraging- we need to share together what once was private and even shameful. Above all, this work is a celebration and my hope is that it will be available to women everywhere."
"Brilliant!"
"A Masterpiece! "
"Thank you for your creative efforts and accomplishments. You have truly added something valuable to the library of feminine lore. You and the camera and the people involved all treated each other with respect and wonder and that came across through the screen so that I too viewed them without criticism but rather with interest and admiration–You did such a marvelous job bringing so many different viewpoints and experiences into a rich, comprehensive collection.
The imagery was amazing and very evocative. The people so present and real…. The artwork was incredible... those beaded dolls, wow... and the body painting...I like how you wove together myth and folklore and personal experiences, some science, some ecology, some history. "
"So inclusive, so penetrating, so artistic and inspiring. You have created a great work in this trilogy, and I know it will bring phenomenal healing - to women all over the globe. "
"A very unique and interesting approach to femininity and art – "
"Beautiful, original and deep. "
"I’m so very thrilled to have experienced your films and truly believe that everyone who is a woman or is living near one should see it. My suggestion is that you submit it to every college in the country, particularly targeting women's studies & art departments. I think every young person should see it! "
"I loved it. There are lots of things to think about and digest over the days. My sign of a spot-on film is if I keep coming back to it in my mind, which I definitely have with the Trilogy. A fantastic accomplishment.
"Exceeded my expectations. Your sense of timing and motion in editing led to some truly funny moments, as well as beauty. And it was very moving. "
"I loved that you took on the blood of war, the welcoming of death, and all the big issues. These subjects are the subjects. The most startling question for me was, what if we had been celebrated for menstruation and made to understand it was the beginning of power instead of the end of power (that it was for me)? I had never even thought of it that way, only that getting back any feeling of the pure mischievous joy of being female …has taken a lifetime. "
"The Australian aborigines believe the sound of the didgeridoo comes not from pushing it out of the instrument, but from pulling the sound up from the earth. That made all the difference to me. The sound is already there – we just need to pull it up from the earth (or from inside ourselves). So how do we teach our daughters to “pull” their sound up?. BMD is certainly on the right track to make the message loud and clear. "
"I liked it very much and thought its potential to open women to a new dialogue was certainly achieved. I am … very committed to our deepest visions like the one you are holding to evolve and reach humanity's heart. "
"Cinematographically, I found the scenes where the camera moved through trees, with women in red dresses swirling in the middle of the screen, to be visually masterful and very expressive of women’s connection to the mysteries of nature. Thank you for persevering to complete your beautiful and insightful film. I hope that many women and men get to see it. It teaches many lessons that are badly needed in our current world. "
"Your film is incredible. I felt honored to be in the company of so many amazing people. I really
think it's important that it be seen – "
"One of my MOST favorite things, about your films, is that for two hours I got to see women of all shapes and ages (and yes, color) who weren't saying, "I'm too fat, I'm too old." That was SO refreshing!!!"
"Congratulations on your film screening. What a grand piece of work! I think Dreamtime is by far the strongest - but maybe I'm looking at it from the point of view of a crone! I was touched, moved, challenged, awed, fascinated, swept away - well, I could go on...You really put your heart and soul into bringing this marvelously positively female message to fruition. "
"Your hallmark poetic imagery, the gorgeous color, the combination of formal and informal tone of the interviews. I overall feel how ambitious this work is, which to me seems to be articulating women's connection, through blood, to all phases of the life cycle and to all other life forms. Part 3 is more often grounded in individual women's stories, sorrows and struggles and wounds, and their heartfelt efforts to make art and new rituals to affirm themselves as women, to overcome their pains and sorrows, is very moving, sometimes charming, even funny, artful, lots of colors. "
"I think that even after all these years since the idea first began to take shape for you, the subject matter remains very “edgy”. One of the women talks about how sad it is that in our culture, so many young girls resist and deny the passage of blood to womanhood. I forget the exact quote, but it was a very moving moment, and truly a very sad observation.- "
"Thanks for your inspiration, it will influence so many in such a deeply meaningful and joyful way. Just brilliant! "
"I am in awe.. You brought the community of women together through your work in a way that nothing else I’ve ever witnessed has. And the force that you is the connecting thread. I feel so honored to be a part of it."
"The trilogy unexpectedly touched me spiritually as a woman, and soothed my soul. The images are soft and breathtaking windows to this other, reassuring dimension"
"It's a most moving trilogy, emotionally wrenching and reassuring at the same time. We were both deeply affected by its depth and beauty. It meant a lot to us to be there with you. As you could surely feel, there was a great deal of energy in the theater. The film deserves to be seen by many people, and I am confident that it will find its way in the world."