When I'm a Moth

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Audience Member "A parable on the ambiguity of political narratives. Possibly an "un-biopic" of Hillary Rodham set in 1969 Alaska. Possibly a collective dream about a young woman with only the most abstract connection to the politician. Possibly both." How can you not be fascinated after reading that? In 1969, Hillary Clinton was just Hilary Rodham and she spent the summer after graduating from Wellesley by working her way across Alaska, washing dishes in Mount McKinley National Park and sliming salmon in a fish processing cannery in Valdez, which fired her after a few days of work and then shut down overnight when she complained about the unhealthy workplace. Then, she went to Yale Law School and this past adventure was forgotten as she entered the world of history. Addison Timlin plays Hilary and the film is careful to never say whether or not she is the future First Lady and Secretary of State. Instead, she's just a young girl just learning to make her way in the world of men, even discovering how her speech works like a short sword against the males that she attempts to connect with. Zachary Cotler and Magdalena Zyzak, who co-directed with Colter to write the script, also worked together on another challenging film, The Wall of Mexico. Just like that film, this one subverts the story that you expect and pushes you to confront your preconceived notions. As the moth moves in the stages of its life, from egg to larvae, cocoon to taking flight, the path remains fixed and rigid. No matter what happens between Hilary and her temporary friends Ryohei and Mitsuru, men who live within the wreck of a ship left behind by the last tragedy that struck the town of Valdez, her life seems as if it already has been decided. Is the summer amongst the common people her last gasp at trying to change all that? Or her just realizing that she should know who the little people are before she begins to command them? No matter how you feel about Hilary Clinton, I recommend that you watch this. There hasn't been a film like it in some time. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

When I'm a Moth

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