Experiencing Interruptions?

Feminist Theory and How It Relates to the Patriarchal Dividend

Esperanza and Cameron, a young lesbian couple, want to go out for a peaceful drink. Esperanza has just returned to their progressive home in Los Angeles after a visit to her not so progressive hometown. But a series of events involving some less-than-respectful people leaves us all wondering...can they go anywhere without being propositioned?

  • Katie Oliver
    Director
  • Matt Morillo
    Writer
    Angry Young Women in Low Rise Jeans with High Class Issues, Good Tidings, Maid of Honor, Mister Harmac
  • Heather Brawley
    Producer
    Façade, Mister Harmac, Sometimes a Hot Fantasy
  • Matt Morillo
    Producer
    Angry Young Women in Low Rise Jeans with High Class Issues, Good Tidings, Maid of Honor, Mister Harmac
  • Kirstie Muñoz
    Key Cast
    "Esperanza"
    Fat Ass Zombies, Mary's Buttons, Stepford Sidechix
  • Farida Amer
    Key Cast
    "Cameron"
    Actor's Anonymous, Elizabeth Blue, San Bernardino
  • Ser'Darius Blain
    Supporting Cast
    Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Charmed
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, LGBTQ
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 3 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Katie Oliver

Katie Oliver is an actress and filmmaker originally from Detroit. She started her own production company, Pink Clubhouse Productions 5 years ago. Her mission is to support female-created content and has produced 6 total projects under this company thus far, the most recent being a web series, written, directed, and produced by women, called “KEEPING IT 100: The Series”, available on Amazon Prime!

She has received three Best Actress awards for her work in short films 'Downriver' and 'Love at the End of Earth', as well as Best Actress Runner Up for 'Night Fighters.'. Katie also stays busy on the stage, performing in 2019 in an award-winning original Fringe play (also written by Matt Morillo!) and will be performing this June for another Fringe original play.

Katie’s directorial debut was a short film she wrote, called DREAMER (2017). "Feminist Theory and How It Relates to the Patriarchal Dividend" is Katie’s 2nd time directing a film.

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Director Statement

Feminist Theory and How It Relates to the Patriarchal Dividend is, sadly and unfortunately, inspired by true events, sadly and unfortunately, MANY true events. All women, whether they are LGBTQ+ or not, can relate to what Esperanza and Cameron deal with in their attempt to merely enjoy an anniversary drink, something that should be so simple and easy to accomplish.

I’ve always subscribed to the idea that humor is the best way to deal with trauma, so I wanted the film to showcases a very real problem through a funny lens. As Esperanza and Cameron not only deal with the requisite creepy men, but they really learn how ingrained such sexist behavior is in our culture in the film’s climactic and, I hope, very funny twist.

In the film I used the silent film format of prologue, Act, and Epilogue as a whimsical throwback to the time when women were first given the right to vote, hoping to suggest that, sadly, the fight is not even close to over for us. While things are certainly better for women than they were a century ago, as we see through some of the supportive characters in the film, we still have a long way to go.

I hope this film highlights the progress we have made, the transition we are going through now, and my hope for the future. And I hope those who feel marginalized as well as those who have been wonderful allies for all of us, can feel supported, appreciated, and entertained by this film!

-Katie Oliver
Director, Feminist Theory and How it Relates to the Patriarchal Dividend