ms. fox--photo by justin hackworth |
Tell us about
yourself.
I worked in film in Los Angeles for over 5 years and was
privileged to work on several award-winning documentaries including Big River Man, a film about a marathon
swimmer from Slovenia; Resolved,
directed by Greg Whiteley about high school debate champions; and Cachao: Uno Mas, a film about the Cuban
mambo genius from the American Masters series on PBS. I moved to Salt Lake in
2009 and I was fortunate to be hired for a documentary series for BYU-TV about
missionaries with Chantelle Olsen and Manju Varghese. I teach some classes at the
Art Institute of Salt Lake when I’m not working on the film about Fascinating Womanhood.
Are you in a tight place right now, and if so, what are you
doing to get out of it?
As a freelance editor, I would work on a film for a while and
then work at a law office or for a temp agency and all-the-while feeling
immense pressure to date and find “a mate." Marriage has always felt like the
bigger concern than career from my family and church. I first read Fascinating Womanhood (1963) by Helen B.
Andelin to learn about the ways of feminine enchantment. Later, when I heard
that Helen Andelin was speaking on panels with Gloria Steinem, Helen Gurley
Brown, and other notable feminists, I was intrigued. Here was one of our own
sisters who spoke about being a woman during the Second Wave of feminism. What
was that like for her? What did she say? Some people say she was crazy but I
think Andelin’s life story has many parallels for women today who do it all.
Many people see Fascinating
Womanhood as a horrible book that tells women to be manipulative to men and
weak but I think it may be onto something. She says that the way to be
attractive is to embrace your femininity and be a “domestic goddess." I am uncomfortable
with “childlike anger” and feigning helplessness. But I think the answer to
greater confidence and harmony with men is to find your true feminine self.
The Fascinating Womanhood
documentary began with my sister Emily Fox King. She was in several bands with
Brian Andelin (Helen’s grandson) and made her MFA thesis art exhibition at
Brigham Young University inspired by Fascinating
Womanhood. Emily got married and moved to Ogden and onto other projects. Heather
Bigley has been an enormous help with writing and planning. I’ve had generous
help from Chad Peters and Zach Marsh and the Utah Film Center. The film will be
completed by May 2013, the 50th Anniversary of Fascinating Womanhood and The
Feminine Mystique.
What are you hoping to accomplish by the end of the year?
Would love to be on the way to a final edit. I hope to secure
some funding for finishing the film and hiring an editor to sort through the 30
hours of footage we have.
What inspires you?
I’m reading The History
of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom and she gives accounts of wives in Europe and
the United States. I read A Strange
Stirring by Stephanie Coontz which was great. I read Homeward Bound
by Elaine Tyler May. It was excellent and puts into perspective how our
grandparents define the American way of life. Women who had successful careers
were portrayed as selfish and promiscuous. Singles were considered too “sick,
immoral, selfish or too neurotic” to marry, so couples stuck together.
Homemaking was a career and homemakers turned to experts to do their job well,
which may be why books like Fascinating
Womanhood were popular. It was like a scientific method for the perfect
wife.
I am also inspired by music. I discovered PJ Harvey’s “White
Chalk” album when I was unemployed, frustrated, and
getting bad advice from therapists. I loved the simple piano parts on it and
she became relatable for me as an artist. On Pandora I like to hear Arvo Part,
Erik Satie and Arcade Fire. Additionally,
walking outside is my best source for inspiration.
What is your
favorite leg wear?
I like the thick Smartwool or Thorlo socks.
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