Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash “When a woman thinks alone, she thinks evil.” — common proverb in early modern Europe, quoted in Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici Witches have been burned at the stake, cast as villains, glamorized on screen, turned into Halloween costumes, and sold back to us as empowerment merchandise....
Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash Griffin Dunne’s 1998 cult classic Practical Magic may be remembered for its cozy New England aesthetic, margarita nights, and the irresistible charm of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters—but beneath its whimsical surface, the film is a rich text for exploring gender, sexuality, and feminist resistance....
Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash As the smell of fresh pencils, pumpkin spice, and anxiety wafts through the air, another back-to-school ritual returns like clockwork: the enforcement of school dress codes. On paper, these policies are meant to “create a distraction-free learning environment.” In practice? They overwhelmingly target girls, reinforcing harmful ideas about modesty,...
Photo by Mustafa Omar on Unsplash For decades, the United States birth rate has been steadily declining. Economists often cite economic instability, shifting cultural priorities, and the soaring cost of living as key factors. Sociologists point to the growing acceptance of child-free lifestyles alongside expanded educational and career opportunities for women. Yet, to discuss birth...
Photo by Batu Gezer on Unsplash Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels, it’s hard to miss the captions: “I’m just a girl 🥺” — as someone admits to skipping work responsibilities or spending the day in bed.“Girl dinner ✨” — a plate of crackers, cheese cubes, and maybe a pickle, framed like a quaint lifestyle...
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash Baz Luhrmann’s Red Curtain Trilogy—Strictly Ballroom (1992), Romeo + Juliet (1996), and Moulin Rouge! (2001)—is an explosion of color, drama, and defiance. Beneath the glitter and spectacle lies something far more radical: a cinematic interrogation of gender, power, and performance. Each film takes a wrecking ball to societal expectations,...
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! (2001) completes his vibrant Red Curtain Trilogy, following Strictly Ballroom (1992) and Romeo + Juliet (1996). Where Strictly Ballroom embraced dance as its theatrical motif and Romeo + Juliet used heightened Shakespearean language, Moulin Rouge! explodes with music—specifically, the jukebox musical. A pastiche of glamor, melodrama, and spectacle, Moulin Rouge! leans...
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996), the second film in his Red Curtain Trilogy, takes Shakespeare’s classic tragedy and throws it into the neon-lit chaos of modern-day Verona Beach. A dazzling blend of high drama, Catholic symbolism, Miami-inspired aesthetics, and MTV-era visuals, Luhrmann’s adaptation retains Shakespeare’s original language while reimagining the feud between the Capulets...
Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 debut film Strictly Ballroom isn’t just about glittery costumes, dramatic dips, and dazzling dance moves—it’s also a rich, satirical take on gender performance, conformity, and resistance. Beneath its comedic flair and theatrical style, the film presents a sharp critique of the gender roles embedded within traditional ballroom dancing and the patriarchal systems...
Photo by Tide_trasher_x on Unsplash “Camp” is one of those words we often hear but struggle to define. Is it glitter? Is it drag? Is it kitsch? Is it just bad taste turned good? The truth is, camp has a long, rich history that’s deeply rooted in queer aesthetics, theatricality, and a rejection of traditional...