The Damsel Dialogues – Details, episodes & analysis

Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see, Season 2's Finale! Join the Damsels of Death as we discuss the classic Nightmare Before Christmas and the lesser known but gorgeous film, Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart. Both films feature an unfulfilled guy named Jack, but more importantly show us women that approach the world in very different ways. Learn about the origins of Halloween, Christmas and midwifery, the folly of cultural appropriation as learned by the pumpkin king himself, and the top ten Halloween candies in America.  Happy Hallowmas! SFX & Music provided by Zapsplat.com Links https://www.bloombergquint.com/gadfly/how-washington-irving-influenced-the-modern-christmas-santa https://www.flatlandkc.org/news-issues/birthing-battle-the-struggle-for-equity-in-maternal-health-care/ https://obgynnorth.com/uncategorized/the-history-of-modern-obstetrics-and-gynecology/ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/christmas-holiday-season-shopping-retail-gifts/

Dia De Los Muertos is here! Come with us as we delve into the origins, history, traditions and depictions of a holiday that celebrates death as a part of life. The women of Coco and Book of Life show us the importance of family, strength, music and remembering those that have passed on. Delve into the Aztec and Mayan roots of the holiday, and learn how it became the celebration we know today. From Alibrijes to Xibalba, Mama Imelda to La Muerte--  Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!  Music & SFX provided by Zapsplat.com LINKS https://www.worldhistory.org/Xibalba/ https://www.nps.gov/cham/learn/historyculture/oaxacan-art.htm http://camillesloanarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-of-life-mythology.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy https://gap.hks.harvard.edu/gender-differences-competition-evidence-matrilineal-and-patriarchal-society https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music

The Tale of Princess Kaguya is yet another masterpiece from Studio Ghibli, and boy are there many. This one has the distinction, however, of being conceived and written by Isao Takahata, Mayao Hiyazaki's partner in crime. This was the only film Takahata got to make with Studio Ghibli, and the work spanned decades due to his-- creative -- management style. But in the end, the film was gorgeous, and delved into what it means to be human, and all of the emotions and expectations that go along with it. Sarah will explore the history of the original fairy tale: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, as well as the development of the film. Also, since a Japanese nursery rhyme forms the emotional thesis of the film, our game time tests Sarah's knowledge of our common nursery rhymes. DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

Historical & Production Links:

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/the-tale-of-the-bamboo-cutter-the-history-of-the-folktale/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Princess_Kaguya_(film)

https://myhuangopinion.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/princess-kaguya-isao-takahata/

Psychology Links:

https://medium.com/@tomhenell/the-difference-between-passion-skill-and-talent-229cacab8a3

morethanabody.org

https://thekittycats.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/the-tale-of-princess-kaguya-nursery-rhyme/

MY NAME IS MERIDA, FIRST BORN OF CLAN DUNBROGH. AND I'LL BE SHOOTING FOR MY OWN HAND! This badass princess is breath of fresh Scottish air, and we are so excited to talk about her. Meet Merida, a girl who knows exactly who she is, and  exactly who she isn't. She can't BEAR -- ahem -- how unhappy she is with her life of oppressive royal expectations, so she decides to, well, make a few poor choices. Hey, Ariel had the sea witch, Merida has the wood carver. Join us as Sarah explores the Scottish roots of the film, and the dramatic behind-the-scenes shuffle-ups that affected it's reception. Then lean in as Jessica delves into the relationship between mothers and daughters, and the ways we can learn to fight and be angry in healthy ways, versus destructive ways (Like, you know, turning your mom into a bear.) Finally, find yer fate with some Would You Rather: DISNEY EDITION!!! SFX brought to you by Zapsplat.com Historical & Production Links https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixars-braintrust-making-brave-studios-419511/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_(2012_film) Psychological Links https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/06/does-it-matter-if-the-heroine-of-brave-is-gay/258979/ https://jezebel.com/merida-from-brave-isnt-a-lesbian-but-she-could-be-5921127 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD1CJz2CbDM&ab_channel=CinemaTherapy

Have you ever felt like a glitch? Like something about you was wrong or insufficient? Meet Vanellope Von Schweetz from 2012's Wreck-It Ralph, a pixelated princess who wants nothing more than to be a racer; Whenever she tries, though, she malfunctions. She is called a glitch, and is ostracized from the others in her game. Learn about the incredibly fun development of the video game world within this movie, and let Vanellope's positive, and snarky, outlook on her decidedly traumatic life inspire you. Remember, your glitch can be your superpower. Also, what would your sweets-inspired racer name be? Historical Links https://fictionalcrossover.fandom.com/wiki/Donkey_Kong_X_Wreck-It_Ralph https://www.slashfilm.com/wreck-it-ralph-50-things https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreck-It_Ralph Psychological Links https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110510WilliamsOstracism.html https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00040/full https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/1126/1013016-sarah-silverman-i-grew-up-feeling-like-a-glitch/#:~:text=Speaking%20to%20RT%C3%89%20Entertainment%2C%20she,shame%20and%20my%20biggest%20secret. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hztcMCm1cU&ab_channel=Chlo%C3%A9Hayden

What do you get when you combine Disney royalty, like Glen Keane and Alan Menken, with groundbreaking computer generated animation technology? Why, 2010's Tangled, of course! Join us as we marvel at the depth and complexity of the hair technology used for this film, explore the history of "Girl in a tower" tales, and use Mother Gothel as a lesson in gaslighting, narcissism and emotional abuse. FUN! No, but really, this episode is a blast, and has one of the most fun GAME TIMES yet! Can you name movies in the style of "Tangled" and "Frozen?" Pick an adjective, and GO! Historical Links: https://atomtickets.com/movie-news/how-tangled-changed-disney-animation/ https://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/untangling-the-hairy-physics-of-rapunzel-4/ https://www.tor.com/2016/06/16/magic-and-choices-disneys-tangled/ https://aminoapps.com/c/disney/page/blog/the-making-of-tangled/5BM0_1MWtVuPmkMXzvVjJoWKxg4x3Eem0EQ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangled https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-01-11/8-real-world-locations-that-inspired-disney-movies-frozen-brave-aladdin https://www.pookpress.co.uk/project/rapunzel-history/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel Psychological Links: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201602/10-signs-narcissistic-parent https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201701/11-red-flags-gaslighting-in-relationship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efua__7B7j4&ab_channel=CinemaTherapy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDJfoVWu3O0&ab_channel=TheFangirl

Princess Tiana is Disney’s first, and only, black princess, and her arrival was met with both excitement and disappointment. A gorgeous film with a blatant disregard for the Jim Crow era in which it’s set, The Princess and the Frog shows us the best and worst of the Disney formula. There’s the requisite magic, music and empowerment to follow one’s dreams, but these are deeply intertwined with whitewashing, cultural appropriation, and a lack of representation of POC behind-the-scenes. For this episode we’re proud to feature Kamala Avila-Salmon, Head of Inclusivity at Lionsgate, and the host/creator of the podcast From Woke to Work. She is a powerhouse of knowledge and ideas and we’re thrilled to have her. And for game time, hold on to your trumpet, we have Lewis the Alligator himself: MICHAEL WOOLEY! Dreams do come true in New Orleans! Music and SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com Historical/Production Links: https://thefairytalecentral.com/the-frog-prince-origins/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_and_the_Frog http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/frog.html http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0402.html https://www.frenchquarter.com/true-history-faith-behind-voodoo/ https://arrestinginequality.org/jim-crow https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/traditions/voodoo/ Psychological Links: https://religiondispatches.org/bad-magic-voodoo-according-to-disney/ https://religiondispatches.org/bad-magic-voodoo-according-to-disney/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mic.com/p/why-do-animators-keep-turning-people-of-color-into-animals-65481570/a

We all need some enchantment in our lives, especially these days. So who better to meet this week than the Princess of Andalasia herself, Giselle from Disney's Enchanted? Giselle is the child in all of us, seeing the beauty in the world, and sometimes missing the harsh realities. But Enchanted shows us that there is a necessary balance between the fantastical and the realistic. Join Sarah as she explores the making of the film and the innumerable easter eggs hidden throughout this love-letter to Disney. Then come along with Jessica as she explores the benefits that optimism and hope have on the brain, and the necessity for finding a bit of magic in the mundane. If you feel all warm and fuzzy, "That's How You Know" you've learned from this week's princess: Giselle.  SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com Production Links: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/enchanted-at-10-revisiting-the-film-with-director-kevin-lima/ http://onthesetofnewyork.com/enchanted.html https://www.moviefone.com/2017/11/20/enchanted-amy-adams-disney-trivia/ https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Enchanted Psychology Links: https://www.heysigmund.com/how-gratitude-changes-the-brain/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/transcending-the-past/201803/where-do-you-find-enchantment-in-your-life

What makes someone a princess? Is it merely a crown, or is it one's inherent goodness/kindness/purity/insert patriarchal positive feminine trait? Well look no further, because you can find the answer in 2002's Princess and the Pea, a "family" feature that illustrates that no matter what you do-- your fate is sealed by your genetics...Ok, so maybe that isn't what Feature Family Films was going for, but it certainly was the message we got. Join Sarah as she discusses the hysterical early versions of the story of The Princess and Pea, and follow along with Jessica as she explores the concept of nature versus nurture, and whether how we were born dictates our lives, or if life experiences forge us into the people we become. And if that gets too deep, cackle with us as Jess tries to guess synonym-replaced movie titles that Sarah conjured up for Game Time.  Come meet Princess Daria, of The Princess and the Pea.  Sound from Zapsplat.com Historical & Production Links https://www.imdb.com https://amp.en.google-info.org/24624474/1/princess-and-the-pea-2002-film.html https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0704.html Psychology Links https://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/nature-vs-nurture

Arthur and the Invisibles introduces us to Princess Selenia: a "thousand year old teenager" drawn to look 18, voiced by a middle-aged Madonna, and romantically paired with 10-year old Arthur. Yep, you heard that correctly. The central "romance" of this movie is mind-bogglingly weird, a word Jess uses a majestic amount of times in this episode. Sarah explains where this movie came from and how it was made, Jess is grossed out by the WEIRDNESS of the messaging, and both wonder how on earth this movie got made and approved. Join us in our incredulity as we meet and discuss Princess Selenia. Music/SFX Provided by zapsplat.com Historical & Production Links Wikipedia.org https://www.firstshowing.net/2007/arthur-and-the-invisibles-review/ https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/ArthurAndTheInvisibles https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Arthur-et-les-Minimoys#tab=summary