The novel Riverfinger Women, written by Elana Dykewomon at the age of 24, was a book I was avidly reading at the young age of 21 in college in upstate New York. I was coming out as a lesbian and a feminist in the early 80s. I remember her main character, Inez Riverfingers, and I remember underlining and highlighting the heck out of that book. It was very meaningful to me at that time in my life. Hearing vividly about the lived experiences of young lesbians helped me to come out. Back then, I was fervently reading many lesbian novels published by women's presses, which were so numerous then. Those books made all the difference for me. They helped to direct my future path in life. Now decades later, ironically I live across the street from Elana Dykewomon's home, whose characteristically purple painted house with a decorative rainbow address on the front is well-known in this Oakland, California neighborhood. Sadly for our community she just passed at age 72. We mourn the loss of a novelist, an activist, and a very important voice in our lesbian community. Thank you Elana. I never would have thought life would bring me to this point forty years later, living right across the street from you. It's ironic and suggests we need to cherish every moment of our brief time here. La vita e bella! Thanks Elana for informing my journey as a young lesbian, as you now embark on a new journey of your own.
0 Comments
I have worked for many years in writing and book publishing and I love this arena. My work has appeared in numerous books, journals, and anthology collections since the 1980s, including two books published by Bedazzled Ink, and featured on this website. More recently I have re-visited a medium that I enjoy even more, and that’s filmmaking. It’s a challenging field to work in, even more than the literary arena.
At the moment, I’m working on a full length documentary film entitled: Finding the Italians: A Granddaughter’s Journey. It will be independently produced by my digital film company Capone Productions: Making films that make change. In 2021, I was awarded a grant to complete this film from the Russo Brothers Film Forum and the National Italian American Foundation, two organizations that give grants to filmmakers whose work explores the Italian American experience. Their grant has helped me substantially in the making of this documentary. My film documents the history of the Italians in Oakland, California, including the vibrant story of the Italian social clubs, dating back to 1920 in North Oakland. It is told from a personal point of view, tracing my own journey as a woman whose Neapolitan grandparents came to New York a century ago as immigrants from southern Italy. The film also explores why the Italians fled Italy and what happened when they first arrived in the U.S. I begin by asking the question: How do you hold onto your culture in a new land? It’s a question every granddaughter of immigrants faces. The film will be completed by Summer, 2022. Length: 1 hour 40 minutes. Screenings and film festival appearances will be announced. |
Giovanna
|