Important Women's Empowerment Film -

Hysteria

Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal & Hugh Dancy

Hysteria is based largely on true events surrounding the invention of the first vibrator.  Now, upon first discovery of this film’s content, I was intrigued, indeed – even amused that a film was being created about this subject.  I waited an entire year since first hearing about the making of Hysteria and finally had the chance to see it the other night at its opening in Portland, OR in the Hollywood theater.  I was more than pleasantly surprised at not only how well this movie was done depicting such an event, but more than this – how extremely crucial the information presented in this film is valuable to the subject of women’s empowerment today. 

Set in the 1880’s, Hysteria introduces how women were diagnosed with what was termed ‘hysteria’ (continuing on until 1952) – for symptoms that would describe any empowered self-motivated, passionate woman today.  Women were, in this time, largely kept at home, responsible for running the household - all the while keeping silent as to the opinions, ideas and musings going on in their minds.  It was thought that women with emotional outbreaks and ‘incessant thoughts’ were in need of medical attention and so it is upon this premise that the story line basically begins…in a doctor’s office where women with ‘hysteria’ are being treated.

This film is truly entertaining in all respects as the events which lead to the invention of the vibrator unfold –and in addition to humor, the content is most profound in the depiction of one woman’s journey – a woman with a voice who would not be silenced, and the way society ‘handled’ her.  As I watched the unfolding events surrounding Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character, I began to realize  I was like her.  I also recognized how many woman in the world  today are still not too much unlike these ‘patients’ visiting the doctor’s office, keeping their mouths shut – obeying society’s ‘rules’ about how a woman ought to behave.  When I realized that it has only been 60 years since the last time a woman was diagnosed with ‘hysteria’ I began to wonder how much of this history was still playing part in the actions, motivations and confidence (or lack thereof) in women today?

This movie is only scheduled to play at the Hollywood theater until Thursday of this week.  I encourage each and every person to grab a friend or two, or three or more and head down there this week and watch this film.  I sincerely hope we can lengthen its running time here in this – most liberal city of Portland.  We ought to be supporting the education that comes with such a movie.  I applaud, cheer and deeply thank all those involved in the creation of this film and I look forward to seeing the effects of such awareness spread as women today are empowered to speak their true voice and embrace the passionate sensual beings we are.  !!

Check out the trailer: http://youtu.be/gkEw3mWs86g 

~Stasia Bliss