The ArQuives Digital Exhibitions

Gerry Rogers (1956- )

Files

RogersG-200308-300x446.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Gerry Rogers (1956- )

Description

Gerry Rogers, is a person who gives from her heart as well as her mind. She has shared her humanistic and activist concerns in her work as well as in her personal life. Gerry is an accomplished filmmaker with many award-winning films to her credit, including My Left Breast. This incredible film has won over 20 awards including two Geminis, Gold at the Hot Docs Festival, two awards at the Toronto Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and two awards at the Dallas Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

In this film, Gerry has transformed her personal experience of breast cancer into the political by giving breast cancer a face…her face. Gerry's vulnerability is her strength as she lets the viewer see her unmasked. This personal sharing removes much of the shame associated with cancer. Her courage not only inspires all 'survivors' who view the film, but it also helps to make a larger audience aware of the many complex issues surrounding breast cancer.

What is also very important in this film is the love that is shared between Gerry and her partner, Peg, who was the main cameraperson during the film's creation. This love and commitment that is so clearly and powerfully evident to viewers of the film, goes a long way in educating people about same sex relationships.

Gerry took My Left Breast on tour to the United States and was invited to speak on the Rosie O'Donnell show. Back in Canada, she was interviewed in depth by Vicki Gabereau in December of 2000 thus bringing added awareness to Canadians. Gerry's other award winning documentaries include The Vienna Tribunal, To A Safer Place, and Kathleen Shannon. But Gerry's biggest accomplishment, according to the many people who know and love her, is the kindness and caring that she shares with all who come in contact with her. Her life and her art are one. (2003 Induction Statement)

Gerry Rogers est une femme généreuse de cœur et d'esprit. Dans son travail et dans sa vie privée, elle a partagé ses préoccupations humaines et militantes. Gerry est une cinéaste chevronnée qui a plusieurs films primés à son actif, y compris My Left Breast. Ce film incroyable lui a valu vingt prix, dont deux Gémeaux, la palme d'or au Hot Docs Festival, deux prix au Festival des films gais et lesbiens de Toronto et deux prix au Festival des films gais et lesbiens de Dallas.
Avec ce film, Gerry a greffé une facette politique à son expérience personnelle en donnant un visage au cancer du sein : son visage. La force de Gerry réside dans sa vulnérabilité car le masque tombe devant le public. Ce partage personnel a pour effet d'éliminer la honte associée au cancer. Son courage est inspirant pour les " survivantes " qui voient le film, tout en sensibilisant un public plus large au sujet des questions complexes entourant le cancer du sein.
Ce qui est également important dans ce film, c'est l'amour que Gerry partage avec sa partenaire Peg, qui fut la principale préposée à la caméra durant le tournage. Cet amour et cet engagement, si évidents et puissants aux yeux des spectateurs, contribuent à l'éducation au sujet des relations de même sexe.
Gerry a présenté My Left Breast en tournée américaine et a été invitée à l'émission Rosie O'Donnell. De retour au Canada, elle eut une entrevue en profondeur avec Vicki Gabereau en décembre 2000, augmentant ainsi le rayonnement canadien. Les autres films primés de Gerry incluent The Vienna Tribunal, To A Safer Place et Kathleen Shammon. Au dire de ceux et celles qui la connaissent et qui l'aiment, la plus grande contribution de Gerry demeure la bonté et le soin qu'elle partage avec quiconque entre en contact avec elle. Sa vie et son art ne font qu'un. (2003 Déclaration d'Induction)

Creator

Claire Priddle

Publisher

Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives

Date

2003

Format

Medium: acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 41 x 25 cm (W x H)

Identifier

138

Citation

Claire Priddle, “Gerry Rogers (1956- ),” The ArQuives Digital Exhibitions, accessed April 26, 2024, https://digitalexhibitions.arquives.ca/items/show/129.