The Dilemma of Desire, a new film from Peabody Award-winning director Maria Finitzo (Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita), had a triumphant first week on Kickstarter, reaching its $40,000 goal in just 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 outright lies women have been taught about their sexual desire and their bodies. Committed to the truth, call it “Cliteracy”– the acknowledgement and understanding that the clitoris is fundamental to the female orgasm – these four women address gender inequality in one of the most personal spheres of a woman’s life: sexual desire and pleasure.
Over 280 Kickstarter backers pledged to support the film in return for perks that include the VESPER vibrator, designed by film participant Ti Chang; jewellery 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 22nd.
The filmmakers have announced a stretch goal of $10,000 to go towards the incorporation of animation into the feature-long documentary. Director Maria Finitzo explained: “Animation is going to be vital in communicating the stories of the women featured in The Dilemma of Desire. 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 group of female collaborators which include 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.
Executive producer Barbara Kopple said: “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. 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.”
You can donate to the campaign here.
