Planned Parenthood’s UNSTOPPABLE Debuts New Animated Film by Alexa Lim Haas
For Immediate Release: Nov. 2, 2018 (Updated: Nov. 2, 2018, 2 p.m.)
Film explores the ways trauma infiltrates the everyday routines of women survivors of sexual trauma
NEW YORK CITY – Today, Planned Parenthood’s UNSTOPPABLE initiative released a new animated film by Alexa Lim Haas that brings to life the fundamental belief that your body is your own and asks the question of what it means to be UNSTOPPABLE in the movement for women’s equality.
The film, “Everyday, I,” debuted this morning on Broadly.
“Everyday, I” is an animated exploration of the ways the trauma and threat of sexualized violence infiltrate the everyday routines of various women. It focuses not on the offenders’ actions, but instead on the long-term reverberations their acts have on their victim’s sense of self, freedom of expression, and ability to trust.
“I don’t know yet what it is to feel powerful, but I am in the process of dismantling years of anxiety and paranoia from my own sexual trauma,” said filmmaker Alexa Lim Haas. “I am making this to pursue a vision of freedom I’ve never had, that I want for all people who are still struggling to find empowerment — a simple freedom to live in our bodies as we please.”
Planned Parenthood stands with, and supports, all survivors of sexual violence. We understand the impact that sexual assault and harassment can have on a person’s health and well-being.
“Alexa's piece is a beautiful, raw tribute to survivors everywhere,” said Elizabeth Bawol, Senior Creative Director, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The extraordinary power of her illustrations bring to life the words of the women who bravely shared their experiences.
“The power of the UNSTOPPABLE art initiative is its ability to inspire us and help us embrace the fundamental belief that we cannot be truly equal or free until our bodies are our own. UNSTOPPABLE is about uniting, standing strong in our beliefs and values, and fulfilling our collective potential.”
Alexa Lim Haas, 28, is an artist and filmmaker from New York City. She was selected by Filmmaker magazine as one of the “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2017. Her animated shorts
Glove (2016) and Agua Viva (2018) both premiered at Sundance Film Festival and were awarded with Grand Jury Prizes at SXSW. Additionally she has exhibited work at MoMA and on HBO. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Planned Parenthood has joined forces with several established and emerging filmmakers to create short films that explore what it means to be UNSTOPPABLE in the movement for women’s equality. The UNSTOPPABLE collective of filmmakers, brought together by Tanya Selvaratnam, includes Mikaela Beardsley, Ima Diawara, Cynthia Hill, Shruti Ganguly, Sarah Lash, Alexa Lim-Haas, Tiffany Shlain, Ani Simon-Kennedy, Michele Stephenson, Stephanie Wang-Breal, and Natalie White.
Recently released films from UNSTOPPABLE include: “My Body is My Own” by Emmy and Peabody award-winning Cynthia Hill, debuted on Glamour; “THE NATURAL WAY” by Ima Diawara debuted on Broadly; and “I TOLD THEM,” by Stephanie Wang-Breal, debuted on Refinery29.
Tanya Selvaratnam, Executive Producer of UNSTOPPABLE ART, said, “Connecting artists with movements is crucial, and I am proud to do this work for Planned Parenthood, which needs our support more than ever.”
Please share the hashtags: #WeAreUNSTOPPABLE #INVENCIBLES
For more information, please visit: www.UnstoppableNow.org
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.