CHICAGO — “The Dilemma of Desire,” a new film from Peabody Award-winning director Maria Finitzo successfully reached its $40,000 Kickstarter goal in only eight days.
“The Dilemma of Desire” follows a conceptual artist, two scientists and an industrial designer who are using their work to shatter the myths and lies women have been taught about their sexual desire and their bodies. Dedicated to “Cliteracy”— the acknowledgement and understanding that the clitoris is fundamental to the female orgasm — the four women address gender inequality within the realm of sexual desire and pleasure.
More than 280 Kickstarter backers pledged to support the film in return for perks that include the Vesper vibrator, designed by film participant Ti Chang; jewelry and apparel emblazoned with messages such as “Smash the Patriarchy” and “Pleasure for All”; and original artwork by women artists featured in the film. Several limited edition items sold out in the first days of the campaign, which runs until April 22.
The filmmakers have also announced a stretch goal of $10,000 to go towards the incorporation of animation into the feature-long documentary.
“Animation is going to be vital in communicating the stories of the women featured in ‘The Dilemma of Desire,’ Finitzo said. “We wanted to find a way to portray the intimate experiences of our film’s participants with empathy and tact. It’s crucial these experiences are seen and heard. When we don’t talk about something, there’s a feeling of shame around it. And that’s what so often happens around the discussion of sexual desire with women and girls.”
Finitzo and producers Diane Quon (“Minding the Gap”) and Cynthia Kane (Sundance Channel, ITVS, Al Jazeera America), backed by four-time Academy Award-nominated production house Kartemquin Films (“Hoop Dreams”), have assembled a powerhouse group of female collaborators, including Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA) as executive producer, Ro*Co Films as global sales agents, and a board of advisors that includes “The Vagina Monologues” creator Eve Ensler, feminist psychologist Carol Gilligan (“In a Different Voice”), and Cynthia Lopez, executive director of New York Women in Film and Television.
"As a longtime filmmaker who has been on the front lines of social justice and equality for all human beings, I'm thrilled to join The Dilemma of Desire team as executive producer,” Kopple said. “I have the highest regards for Maria's bold, intelligent, and courageous directorial style. This film pushes for equality in a way we've never seen and will break new ground in the realm of feminist filmmaking."
Donate to the campaign here.
