Whitney Bradshaw photographs women mid-scream in group sessions where long-silenced stories conjure rage, sorrow, and joy. The project was born from the #metoo movement and Whitney’s own deeply traumatic family story of sexual abuse. Whitney’s own voice saved her life so she’s hell-bent on using it now. A news report on the upcoming vote to enshrine reproductive rights in the Ohio state constitution prompts Whitney to take OUTCRY on the road to join grassroots activists in Dayton, Ohio who are in the last few days of their exhausting campaign. The film explores the transformational power of women’s rage at a time when reproductive rights and women’s bodily autonomy are under attack. Kinetic scenes, impressionistic imagery, and multi-dimensional sound design convey OUTCRY’s intensity and explosive catharsis. Scream sessions take place in dramatically lit, dark, womb-like environments. We see macro details of eyes, hands, and mouths captured in graceful, slow-motion gestures as the camera floats close to participants, welcomed into both reflective, vulnerable moments and ferocious, joyful moments alike. Paris Hurley’s raw, hypnotically powerful music carry us deeper into emotional truths. Society often dismisses women’s voices as shrill or hysterical; the film asks viewers to join in a visceral rallying cry for the under-utilized power of women’s voices. Director Clare Major and Whitney collaborated on the vision for the film, building trust based on ongoing discussions and affirmative consent with each other and with every scream session participant. Our goal was to build an undeniable portrait of feminist power in action.
Whitney Bradshaw photographs women mid-scream in group sessions where long-silenced stories conjure rage, sorrow, and joy. The project was born from the #metoo movement and Whitney’s own deeply traumatic family story of sexual abuse. Whitney’s own voice saved her life so she’s hell-bent on using it now. A news report on the upcoming vote to enshrine reproductive rights in the Ohio state constitution prompts Whitney to take OUTCRY on the road to join grassroots activists in Dayton, Ohio who are in the last few days of their exhausting campaign. The film explores the transformational power of women’s rage at a time when reproductive rights and women’s bodily autonomy are under attack. Kinetic scenes, impressionistic imagery, and multi-dimensional sound design convey OUTCRY’s intensity and explosive catharsis. Scream sessions take place in dramatically lit, dark, womb-like environments. We see macro details of eyes, hands, and mouths captured in graceful, slow-motion gestures as the camera floats close to participants, welcomed into both reflective, vulnerable moments and ferocious, joyful moments alike. Paris Hurley’s raw, hypnotically powerful music carry us deeper into emotional truths. Society often dismisses women’s voices as shrill or hysterical; the film asks viewers to join in a visceral rallying cry for the under-utilized power of women’s voices. Director Clare Major and Whitney collaborated on the vision for the film, building trust based on ongoing discussions and affirmative consent with each other and with every scream session participant. Our goal was to build an undeniable portrait of feminist power in action.