Dear Lisa: A Letter to My Sister

...The lion's share of the program is devoted to women's responses revealed in thoughtful one-on-one interviews with the filmmaker. This diverse group, consisting of both young and middle-aged women, both white and of color, including a judge. a university professor, and a former "Miss California ". By cross-cutting these interview segments Clements makes this unwieldy material entertaining and also creates a framework for the presentation-which is narrated by the filmmaker and punctuated by clips from her own family's home movies. Clements' letter to her sister-delivered both as written comments and as a dreamy narration, against the background of the home movies, shown in slow motion-urges viewers to slow down and take a closer, more careful look. Several of her questions remain unanswered and invite further consideration. The video achieves its goals through a subtle interplay of visuals (interview segments, archival footage, and animation) and commentary. A catchy keyboard soundtrack stitches the production together into a nearly seamless whole. Highly recommended for all libraries, for use by women's groups and in related programs.

One of the best films I've seen on women's issues, perspectives, and sexism.

Filmmaker J Clements explores issues related to growing up female by narrating a letter to her sister in this freewheeling production . Clever animated line drawings introduce footage of Clements' family from the 1960s, which is carefully interwoven with the diverse life stories of 13 contemporary women. After discussing their interests, careers, and relationships, these women share thoughts about child rearing, segregation, and discrimination, without bitterness, they also reveal poignant struggles with drugs and sexual assault. Although the filmmaker acknowledges that some things have not improved for women and minorities, she admits there has been progress. Concluding with the hope that each woman will know what's best for herself, this is thought-provoking fare. Ages 16-adult.

Journal of Sex Education and Therapy...provides a tapestry of women's voices, inviting the audience to identify at will and develop a sense of mutuality.

High school students and adults may find this film about how society views women and female attributes both instructive and thought-provoking. It can be used to foster discussion about how and why male and female children are often taught to behave differently in similar circumstances, play with specific types of toys, set separate types of goals, and base their self-esteem on mental or physical attributes dictated by their culture. Other topics covered include motherhood, job environments, and sexual assault. ~