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(m)adam: Adam's Rib Reframed

Eve was made from Adam’s rib. Everybody knows that. But... does the Bible actually say it? In this delightful short film, Bible scholar Lizzie Berne DeGear teams up with animator Martha Mapes to breathe new life into an old story we all thought we knew.

  • Lizzie Berne DeGear
    Director
  • Martha Mapes
    Director
  • Lizzie Berne DeGear
    Writer
  • Martha Mapes
    Writer
  • Martha Mapes
    Producer
  • Lizzie Berne DeGear
    Key Cast
  • Ben Shenkman
    Key Cast
  • Tanya Birl-Torres
    Key Cast
  • Freddy DeGear
    Key Cast
  • Martha Mapes
    Animation
  • Lizzie Berne DeGear
    Original Bible Translation
  • Martha Mapes
    Production
  • Ben Shenkman
    Production
  • Francis Zuccarello
    Production
  • Creation Effects
    Production
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Religious, Educational, Animation, Documentary, Short, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 5, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    1,200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Lizzie Berne DeGear, Martha Mapes

My work as a Chaplain, Teacher, Bible Scholar and Catholic Feminist emerges from two core beliefs: that human consciousness can always grow, and that divine consciousness is both loving and accessible. My goal is to bring new life to ancient biblical tales through a series of engaging animated shorts and to blow off centuries of patriarchal dust that has accumulated on the Bible for too long.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I still remember the first moment I started delving into the Hebrew words at the beginning of Genesis. I was a chaplain working in an inner-city trauma center and inpatient psych unit. What I found in that book and in that hospital changed the course of my life. I knew that in order to continue my work, I had to take a deep dive into studies of the human psyche and the Hebrew Bible simultaneously; so I began an interdisciplinary doctoral program at Union Theological Seminary in 2004.

One of the earliest and most disorienting discoveries during my PhD studies centered on the Hebrew word for “rib” as it is translated in the story of Adam and Eve. This exploration took me places that bewildered, fascinated and delighted me. Years later, as I began teaching and sharing these insights, I found myself wishing I had play-doh in my hands as I tried to explain to folks the implications of my interpretation of Genesis 2. Then, on a trip to the Wasatch Mountains in 2019, I realized the time had come to listen to this desire and respond.

I decided to create an animated short film and make it available to anyone who wanted to learn more about “Adam’s rib.” Through Women-in-Animation I connected with several inspiring, creative and talented animators, and was absolutely blessed to encounter Martha Mapes who became my partner on this project.

Over the course of about nine months (!) we created (m)adam and it is with excitement, hope and a bit of trepidation that I share it here with you. May it go forth and multiply!