Angela Bowen: dancer, teacher, Mother, activist, organizer, scholar, writer, Professor
Watch the trailer:
Now streaming: Vimeo On Demand
Available on DVD for rental and educational sales: Women Make Movies.
25 Minute Award-winning Short (aired on PBS “To the Contrary“), available from jabod@jenniferabod.com.
In the cannon of documentary films, stories exploring the complexities of black women’s lives are rarely told: black feminists are seldom heard nor seen, and black lesbians are practically invisible.
This is the story of a black girl who came of age during Jim Crow in inner city Boston – her discovery of dance, and where that led. When she was married with two children and running a dance school in the heart of the black community, she discovered feminism and soon realized her desire for a different life, leading her to a new city and a new identity.
Bowen’s stories reveal how the challenges of race, class, gender, age, and sexuality played into her decisions and strategies for survival.
Her stories are unique, candid and funny. In the Film, Bowen’s former dance mentor, her family, former students — dance and academic, activists, educators, and colleagues, show the depth of her Influence and bridge her passionate pursuits across the decades.
The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen by Jennifer Abod is the winner of the WOFFF20 Best Documentary Award
and Runner Up WOFFF20 Emerald Life Audience Choice Award.
WOFFF documentary judges:
Felicity Beckett is the Video Content Co-ordinator at Picturehouse Cinemas and has been a champion of WOFFF since it began in 2015.
Kavita Puri is a British journalist, radio broadcaster, and author. Her 2019 book, Partition Voices: Untold British Stories, is based on her award-winning BBC Radio 4 documentary series of the same name.
The judges Beckett and Puri said:
“Our clear winner. A great story of a great life spent in community, activism and courage all stemming from Angela Bowen’s unswerving commitment to her true self and hearing her inner voice. As a documentary we also thought it the most accomplished; well-paced, well-researched, compelling, enlightening, beautifully presented, relevant and transcendent in the fact that Angela Brown was never any one thing; she was always in r/evolution.”
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaBowenDoc/
More about Dr. Angela Bowen >
Reviews and Interviews
“Passionate Pursuits is a compelling portrait of an important figure in the evolution of contemporary Black Feminist history in the United States. The film highlights vital aspects of 20th century African American history, Women’s history & LBGTQ history. Abod’s film is inspirational, informative, complex, and humorous.”
-Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Professor Women’s Studies, Spelman College
“Abod’s vision and artistic dexterity spans a beautifully complex arc of time that brings Angela Bowen’s genius to light. See Passionate Pursuits again and again and remember to spread the word.”
-M. Jacqui Alexander, Women and Gender Studies, University of Toronto
“There are tons of great music choices, interviews, photos and archival footage shots. But most importantly, you’ll feel like you truly know a brilliant woman that should be on everyone’s radar.”
-Daniela Costa, After Ellen
Your film lifted our spirits and our hopes! Really, every single person there was so excited by the film and it was delight to talk with folks as they left the theater. I hope that many many people will see this film.
-KJ Mohr Director of Programming 27th Annual Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
It’s a must see by every activist who in any way feels passionate about any social and/or political issue. Angela epitomizes the importance of forming allies on many fronts and speaking loudly against all forms of bigotry and oppression.
-A Billy Jones, Founder-National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays
“An unflinching eye to a life’s journey…of an exceptional black feminist, dancer, mother and social justice organizer.”
-Emery Grant, Stonewall National Museum & Archives
“My students couldn’t stop talking about the film and I know that it spoke to some of them in very personal ways regarding both sexuality and race as young dancers. In addition to showing it to my students this year I hope to use it in my curriculum for years to come.”
Alison Hart Dance Director, Renaissance High School for the Arts
PANEL DISCUSSION: “From Artist to Activist” with a scholar, a Broadway star, A judge, a dance teacher, Yale University
https://www.artidea.org/video-podcast/2112
INTERVIEW: With director, Jennifer Abod, CHARTER TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EfANyNpKVU
For more information about Dr. Bowen visit Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice visit https://www.astraeafoundation.org/stories/angela-bowen/