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At a time when female roles were strictly
circumscribed, some women in Medieval Europe achieved independence and empowerment
through the embrace of mysticism. By claiming a direct, intimate personal
relationship with God, they defied the traditions of a Church-dominated society
and gained unprecedented power and influence. This six-part series examines
the lives of female visionaries such as Hildegard of Bingen and Joan of Arc,
and reveals the combination of courage, willpower and impassioned faith that
turned them into legendary figures.
Series I ** New Air Dates ** Mystic Women of the Middle Ages
airs on WTN, Thursdays, 23:00pm et/pt, starting July 5, 2001. Win a Magnificent Medieval Reward!
As globalization and materialism take hold, many of us are looking to alternative ways to pursue spiritual quests in order to gain empowerment and a more vital understanding of our place in the world. The phenomenal current interest in Hildegard of Bingen and Joan of Arc reminds us that medieval Europe was also a place of such transition and searching.
Mystic Women of the Middle Ages, a new series of half-hour programs about other, less known but just as fascinating, medieval female mystics reminds us that themes of gender difference, diet, solitude, spiritual growth, sacrifice and sexuality which helped these women gain independence and empowerment through mysticism, are still hugely relevant today.
The series, produced by Canada's Redcanoe Productions Inc., in association with Vision TV, WTN and McMaster University's Faculty of Humanities, is directed by Kate Gillen, produced by David Wesley, and written by Kathy Garay, Madeleine Jeay, Anne Savage and David Wesley. Each of the programs is a kind of retreat into another world and time which tells us much about our own. The series has already won a Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund award to create an accompanying broadband website, and a book based on the series, and CD of the series music are being planned.
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Copyright: McMaster University, 2000 |
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Using rich archival images from medieval manuscripts and paintings, interviews with experts, and stunning new location film from Tuscany, Provence and East Anglia, the six programs (seven more will be developed) of Mystic Women of the Middle Ages feature new original music by Gregoire Jeay and the camera work of veteran cinematographer Michael Ellis. Frescoes and excerpts from journals of the day will tell the stories of each of our mystic women.
