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Packing Heat
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Description
In a culture of fear, where women are assaulted by images of themselves as victims, the idea of picking up a gun and getting even is tempting. Women who carry firearms don't fit stereotypes: they can be soft-spoken liberals, doctoral students, or nurses. They see the right to pack a gun as an issue of women's empowerment. Many call themselves feminists. Packing Heat profiles women of this emerging gun culture, from self-styled guru Paxton Quigley, to a University of Toronto psychology professor who spends her weekends at the gun club. The video also features self-defence advocates and anti-gun feminists who say that security doesn't come from the barrel of a gun, and that weapons-makers are profiting from fear. Most of the women featured in Packing Heat say they feel safer armed. But with guns far more likely to kill a child than an intruder, is that sense of safety or illusion? This lively documentary looks at why women want to carry firearms, and at the ethical and practical implications of a gun in every purse.
1996, 49 min 58 s
Awards
Silver Medal - Category: Community Affairs
The New York Festivals / Festival Competition
January 22 1999, New York - USA
Silver Plaque
INTERCOM International Communication Film and Video Festival
October 10 to 12 1998, Chicago - USA
Audience Prize - Category: Best Documentary
Women Film Festival "La Mo-Viola"
March 4 to 8 1998, Torino - Italy
Gold CINDY Award - Category: Cultural / Ethnic / Women's Issues
Itinerant - International CINDY Competition
February 15 to 20 1998, Spring Valley - USA
Honorable Mention
Expo of Short Film and Video
November 21 1997, New York - USA
Honorable Mention
International Film and Video Festival
October 21 to 23 1997, Columbus - USA
Certificate of Merit
Long Island Film Festival
July 18 to August 3 1997, Hauppauge - USA
Bronze Apple Award
National Educational Media Network Competition
May 1 1997, Oakland - USA
Certificate of Merit
Itinerant - Western Psychological Association (WPA) Film Festival
April 24 to 27 1997, Seattle - USA
