• CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE EVENT

A WEEKEND WITH THELMA & LOUISE: THEN AND NOW
Two Films with a Panel Discussion about Violence Against Women

Mount Vernon, WA On May 14th and 15th Thelma & Louise and a companion documentary, Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise will screen at the historic Lincoln Theater, along with a panel discussion focused on bringing awareness to violence against women. Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services and related organizations will be featured on panel.

In the spring of 1991, a different kind of film premiered around the country: Thelma & Louise.
No one could deny the significant impact it left on audiences. Its legacy is still being discussed today, in the context of #MeToo, raising the question of whether women are any safer today than they were 30+ years ago.

When the movie came out, Jennifer Townsend, a Seattle viewer, conducted a survey about audience reactions to the film. Hundreds of respondents completed the survey, but the results weren’t published at that time. Twenty-five years later, Townsend revisited the survey and tracked down women and men who had responded. Their personal stories are captured in Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise, a documentary that dives off the edge into the truth of women’s experience in the world.

The film has screened to appreciative audiences across the country as well as in Europe and Asia. “I am astounded by the number of viewers who have contacted me to thank me for making the film,” said Townsend. “They continue to discuss it weeks afterward and say they feel connected with the intimate stories shared by the participants.”

On Saturday May 14th, the Lincoln Theatre will present Thelma & Louise at a 7:30pm screening. On Sunday May 15 at 2:00 pm, the Lincoln Theatre will present the documentary, Catching Sight of Thelma, & Louise. Townsend will be on hand for Q&A with the audience, followed by a Panel Discussion featuring local agencies involved with providing services to people who are experiencing sexual assault and/or domestic violence and its aftereffects.

Co-organizer and local resident, Kathy Reim said, “My family and I watched Jennifer’s documentary and knew we wanted to bring it to our community. I’m thrilled she will be with us to discuss her project and the importance of these conversations. This is a powerful film.”

The event is co-hosted by the Lincoln Theatre and the local organization, We Ignite, along with several generous sponsors. We Ignite, founded in 2018, presents an annual Women’s Conference to provide opportunities for women to share their expertise, learn from each other, make lasting connections, gain knowledge, find inspiration, and magnify the vision for professional and personal lives.