Sexual Violence

Metamorphosis by Netalie Braun

Did you know that, in this day and age, one out of five women experience sexual violence?

The Roman poet, Ovid, concluded the writing of his narrative epic poem, Metamorphoses, in the year 8 AD. This work of mythology, considered to be one of the greatest works of Western literature, includes multiple stories of rape, in which a woman can only escape sexual abuse by transformation -- being transformed into a rock or a form of plant life.

Two thousand years later, Netalie Braun has created her own version of this mythological artistic expression. Her film, Metamorphosis, was screened at the Jerusalem Cinematheque this past month. It is well-worth noting since it is an extraordinarily beautiful film with a unique aesthetic. The subject matter, however, is not easy.

The essence of the film is four women exposing their most heart-breaking and personal stories of rape and incest, combined with unique video art and direct references to Ovid's Metamorphoses.

The film (56 minutes) is available from Ruth Diskin at ruth@ruthfilms.com

See the article by Anat Zuria which discusses this film on the website of Eretz Acheret, a prominent Israeli journal.