Beyond Beijing: The International Women's Movement

Produced by Salome Chasnoff

In 1995, forty thousand women from across the globe converged on Beijing, China to create the Fourth World Conference on Women/NGO Forum. In this video kaleidoscope constructed of Forum events, journalistic interviews and intimate conversations, every speaker is a narrator, producing a text that is stylistically mixed, inclusive of multiple cultures and perspectives, and intentionally open-ended, challenging the viewer to participate in the spirit of "Beijing."

Viewers travel with an international group of activists, sampling an immense array of Forum events and learning about NGO process. Topics range from women's struggle for access and the globalization of the economy, to mainstream media representation of the Forum and young women's participation.

"Beyond Beijing" was screened by invitation at the United Nations "One Year After Beijing" Film Forum at UN Headquarters in New York. Filmed at the NGO Forum in Huairou, it brings powerful immediacy to the people and events of this remarkable gathering. Together with its companion Handbook, "Beyond Beijing" is widely praised for "bringing home" the Beijing experience to readers and viewers.

"Beijing was not just an event or a moment in time. Beijing is a spirit, a process, and women can enter that process at any point. This video is an informative, challenging and inspiring means of entry, and an important document of an occasion that showcased women's leadership for the 21st century."  
 – Charlotte Bunch, Center for Women's Global Leadership, Rutgers University

"An inspiration for a grave cause"
 – Ted Shen, Critics Choice, Chicago Reader, September 1996

"This video offers a sample of individual voices from among the 30,000 women at the NGO Forum. Salome Chasnoff uses a patchwork of speeches, interviews and conversations of women in the center and on the fringes of the Forum. This gives the viewer a sense of the emotional and political significance that this meeting had, both for the individual participants and for the entire international women's movement. As one woman interviewed says, " [that was what the] conference was all about, being together and making a change." In spite of or because of this documenary's cinema verite style, which always reminds the viewer of the camera's presence, the video communicates the emotional impact of this gathering with poignancy. When the ex-prostitute's voice cracks as she recalls never being accepted or heard, and how she feels accepted and heard at this gathering, the viewer can empathize. When she tries on an ancient Chinese concubine's costume and waves her arms above her head, the viewer can share her triumph."  
– Mara Warner, Librarian, Chicago Public Library.

"I'm a high school teacher and plan to show your video to my World History students....I wanted to let you know how inspired I was by it. It gave me more hope in people of this world. I've already been considering to work in a non-profit women's/or Asian-American organization, but I've become more serious now because of your video. Thanks!" 
– Freda Lin

"Thank you for sharing Beyond Beijing with us. The film is a touching and relevant portrait of women as activists. Several people stopped to watch portions of the video during the reception for our event; many commented on what an accurate portrayal of Beijing you have produced."   
–Tracy Salter, Amnesty International.  

"This film is a provocative, engaging window into women's explorations of the possible. It is truly one of a kind."  
– Marsha Jean Darling, Ass. Prof. Women's Studies &   History, Georgetown University

"This is a terrific piece and a great way for people who didn't go to the conference to understand the significance of Beijing, the motivations of so many women, and generally what all the hoopla was about."  
 –Susan Davis, Former Executive Director, WEDO

"If anyone ever doubts that there aren't enough qualified women leaders of every race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and physical status, then I challenge you to watch this video!"  
– Bella Abzug

 

"Beyond Beijing" was made possible in part by support from the Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media, Chicago Foundation for Women, Crossroads Fund, The Sister Fund,  and Women in the Director's Chair.

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