Photo Credit: Phillip Engelhorn
Nancy Schwartzman
The Line
June 2009
whereisyourline.org/about/#film
Bio: Recently named one of the “10 Filmmakers to Watch in 2011” by Independent Magazine, Nancy Schwartzman’s work explores the intersection of sexuality, new media, and navigating partner communication about consent. She is the director and producer of the documentary film The Line and xoxosms.
Schwartzman’s first documentary film, The Line, is a fearless twenty-four-minute documentary that chronicles one woman’s personal journey after she is raped—exploring the line of consent, justice, accountability, and today’s media saturated “rape culture.” Launched in tandem with the film, The Line Campaign is an interactive space for dialogue about boundaries and consent.
Schwartzman’s newest documentary film, xoxosms, follows the lives and modern love of two young adults, and explores the digital intimacy that comes with social networking technology. The film highlights the Internet as a bridge for lost souls, a lifeline for long distance relationships, and a place where love happens.
Using media and workshop discussions, Schwartzman challenges thousands of students to “think twice” and to challenge normative behavior among college youth. Schwartzman opens up a dialogue about desire, consent, and boundaries, advising student groups, faculty, and administration on how to foster healthier communities. (Credit: The Line Official Website)
Description: A one night stand far from home goes terribly wrong. As the filmmaker unravels her experience, she decides to confront her attacker.
Told through a “sex-positive” lens, The Line is a twenty-four-minute documentary about a young woman—the filmmaker—who is raped, but her story isn’t cut and dry. Not a “perfect victim,” the filmmaker confronts her attacker, recording the conversation with a hidden camera. Sex workers, survivors, and activists discuss justice, accountability, and today’s “rape culture.” The film asks the question: Where is the line defining consent? Shown in film festivals around the world, The Line was released in September 2009, and is a top-selling film with educational distributor, the Media Education Foundation. (Credit: The Line Official Website)
Interview Date: April 14, 2010
Women and Hollywood: It takes a lot of guts to make a film about a difficult personal experience. Why did you feel compelled to make this film?
Nancy Schwartzman: I was sexually assaulted while living in Jerusalem by a man I worked with and willingly went to bed with. The night took a turn for the worse, and he raped me. I was shocked and horrified. I thought no one in Jerusalem would understand that even if I were already in his bed, that this was rape.
I waited until I got back to “civilization” (i.e., New York) where I felt safer talking about what happened, to admit what happened and describe the experience. But at home, my friends, people I trusted and who cared about me, minimized the experience, found ways to blame my behavior for what happened—flirting, drinking, being an American. They told me what happened wasn’t that bad.
If people had understood the definition of assault and had the courage to recognize that even when it is complicated, it still is a violation. If they had been supportive I wouldn’t have needed to make this film. I wouldn’t have understood how deeply we as a culture excuse and apologize for rape, assault, and violation. It gave the film a life beyond my own story, and it gave me a place to explore the complexity of the issue, both personally and politically.
W&H: Is “the line” different for everyone? Is there more difference between men and women?
NS: Absolutely. That diversity of expression, opinion, and preference is what inspired the entire campaign. I wanted to capture the conversations people were having after seeing the film, how they thought about their own lives, what they brought back into their bedrooms, so we asked—“Where is your line?” And we collect the answers on our site.
W&H: You have taken the film on the road and talked about sexual assault. What has been the most gratifying about your travels and what has been the most difficult?
NS: The most gratifying is when young men who leap up in the their seats after a screening to come and tell me how inspiring the film is and how they feel trapped by traditional ideas of “masculinity.” They want to see a change on their campus and in their lives. The ones who ask loudly in front of their peers why more men don’t exhibit basic emotional intelligence, and why we let those who behave badly off the hook, and how men cannot afford to see bad behavior and look the other way. I love those moments.
The most difficult is the endemic nature of sexual assault. Especially highlighting a story like mine, a rape between friends, acquaintances, partners, or classmates. My story is so common. I’m glad the film enables women to speak up and share, but the numbers can be overwhelming. Ultimately, the more we break the isolation and come together, the louder, stronger, and angrier we get, the more chance we have to put an end to sexual violence as a cultural norm.
W&H: You show that a film has the ability to impact and open up a dialogue about an important issue. Is film able to do this differently than other media?
NS: I think storytelling—intimate, raw, honest exchanges—whether it is spoken word, radio, performance, or film, allow us to open up, feel, and transform. Film is so tangible, and when shared in a crowded room, in the dark, it can be a collective experience.
W&H: Are you a filmmaker or activist first?
NS: First and foremost, I’m a storyteller, and I want to build a community and create change around the films that I make.
W&H: What did you learn about yourself in this process?
NS: I crave collaboration. I hate working alone.
W&H: What advice do you have for other filmmakers?
NS: Partnerships are everything. Good partners and collaborators are truly a gift—they are hard to find, they are worth waiting for, and they should be treasured. Also, know your audience—especially documentary filmmakers. Let the web be your guide if you’re exploring a topic. Ask, “What are they already talking about? How can you add and enhance or challenge the conversation? Make sure you love your subject matter, because you’re going to be stuck with it for a long time.