BeauteouS: Giovanna

16mm, 4 min, B&W, 2002
Distributed by G6 Pictures (preview available by request)

Synopsis

The multiple ways the filmmaker understands their body come to light during an accident involving hairspray and a flame. Using sound and image experiments, this short black and white experimental narrative reveals both grotesque and beautiful perceptions of self.

BeauteouS: Giovanna is the second part of a trilogy of films about three siblings and their relationships to beauty. This portrait focuses on the filmmaker, the oldest sibling. In this film Giovanna presents the many ways they see and understand their body. To do so, they fragment parts of themself in grotesque and beautiful imagery.

Awards

Regional (West Coast) Finalist Student Academy Awards - Experimental Category

Honorable Mention Best Experimental Film CSU Media Arts Fest

Personal Works Grant Film Arts Foundation, San Francisco

Screenings

Eye Am: Women Behind the Lens, Anthology Film Archives, NY, NY - October 2010

Jewdas, London - June 2008

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, invited presentation – May 2005

Gender Queer / Queer Gender Conference, UCSD – February 2005

San Diego Girl Film Festival, San Diego, CA – Sept 2004

Console-ing Passions, New Orleans, LA - May 2004

Museum of Photographic Arts, Retrospective of Giovanna Chesler’s Work – Feb 2004

Women's Studies Film Series, Penn State University, State College, PA - Feb 2004

Georgetown Independent Film Festival Washington, DC, September 2003

Ladyfest Texas, Denver, CO, May 2003

Regional Finalist Screening Student Academy Awards, Portland, OR, April 2003

San Diego Film Foundation Shorts Program, February 2003

Film Arts Festival of Independent Film, San Francisco, CA, November 2002

CSU Media Arts Festival, November 2002

Credits

Director
Giovanna Chesler

Camera
Josh Chesler

Lighting
Giovanna Chesler & Rachel Power

Additional Direction
Mahri Holt

Second Camera
Hannah Guggenheim

Special Effects
Matt Trovatten

Screenplay
Giovanna Chesler