1

FALL 2017
E NTE R TAIN M E N T
THESE 50+
WOMEN SHOW
Style is
Ageless
Jane
Way
‘Sex Work
Can Virtual Saved Me’
Reality
Cure Mental
Illness?

Life as
a Syrian What It Means
Refugee to be Non-Binary
 2
E N T E R TAIN M E NT
 3
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Amanda Van Slyke

INDE X
MANAGING EDITOR
Manda Brownrigg

MANAGING DESIGNER
Alicia Carvalho

COVER
Photo by Martin Ouellet
Design by Alicia Carvalho

WRITERS
Amanda Van Slyke
Becca Clarkson
Emma Gammans
Jenn Mentanko
Ashley Ralston
Kirsten Lowe
Cossette Dubrule
CMYK = 0 98 21 0 (#ed1a78)
RGB = 255 0 120 (#ff0078) PHOTOS
Editor’s Note Girl Named Shirl Photography
Myriam Keyloun Martin Ouellet
Ingrid Jean-Baptise Milo Lee
Jane Way Bradley Boyle
Brittany Halford Glenn Eilers
Better Beauty Buys Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick by
The Beauty Look Book; DaLish Illumination Concealer by
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Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse by Tarte Cosmetics
50+ Women Show Style is Ageless: Girl Named Shirl
Photography
Stock photos: Ezra Jeffrey, Patrick Fore, Roya Ann Miller, Vlad
Tchompalov, Anton Dee, Matheus Ferrero, Jakob Owens,
Samuel Zeller, Karina Carvalho, Brooke Lark
 ON THE
COVER

08
Life as a Syrian
Refugee

18 What It Means to be
Non-Binary

26 These 50+ Women

Show Style is Ageless

22 Jane Way
‘Sex Work Saved Me’ 38 Can Virtual Reality Cure
Mental Illness?
 FALL
2017

07 Editors Note

ACT I V I SM

08 Life as a Syrian Refugee

ENT ERTAI NM ENT

32 How a Car Crash Birthed a Film Festival

LIFE

18 What It Means to be Non-Binary

38 Can Virtual Reality Cure Mental Illness?

44 Why You Should Consider Switching to a

Menstrual Cup

SEX & DATI N G

14 Meet the Original Webcam Girl

22 Jane Way ‘Sex Work Saved Me’

STY LE

12 Better Beauty Buys

26 These 50+ Women Show Style is Ageless

 6
E N T E R TAIN M E NT
Editor’s 7

Note

E NTE R TAIN M E N T
STRUGGLES ARE BETTER
O V E R C O M E BY S E E K I N G
C O M M U N I T Y.

W
hether you’re dealing with some kind of illness, the and porn performer Jane Way demonstrates how they
pressures of life or the political climate, sometimes empower themselves and others through sex work as a
you might feel like you don’t have it in you to overcome person with a disability and recovering addict.
your struggles. The world can be a beautiful, welcom-
ing place – but it can also be one that’s an ugly cold We all have our good and bad days, and the following
– and who you show up to be during the latter is what stories of resilience portray how our struggles – which
will define you down the road. Will you build up others often feel isolating – are better overcome by seeking
or will you tear them down? community and finding ways to lift other people up in
the process. I hope you enjoy these inspiring interviews
In this issue, Syrian refugee Myriam Keyloun teaches – as well as the many other pieces that may awaken
us about finding strength after surviving war. She talks curiosity and change. Perhaps they will lift you up in
about how keeping in touch with her friends from back your time of need as well.
home – who are now spread out around the globe –
helps them find a sense of normalcy. As well, French Thanks so much for your support,
actor and film festival co-founder, Ingrid Jean-Baptise, Amanda Van Slyke
tells us how she found inspiration to give others a voice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, FLURT
[email protected]
at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York after being in
a car crash. Finally, our cover model, renowned escort
 8
Life as a
Syrian Refugee
ACT IV ISM

Myriam Keyloun, who lives with her family in

Montreal, Canada, is just trying to rebuild a
sense of normalcy.

A M A N D A V A N S LY K E
 9

ACTI VI S M
M
yriam Keyloun is a Syrian refugee living in Montreal, Canada. Editor-
in-Chief Amanda caught up with her over email to get her perspective
on the Syrian war, what she wants others to know about refugees and her
hope for the future.

A: Tell me how you made your way to Canada from Syria? A: What was your life like in Aleppo before the civil war?

M: I left Aleppo on June 13th, 2012. I flew to Istanbul M: I talked about wanting to leave Syria, travel and live
and the plan was to stay there a month and then come abroad since I was 16. I didn`t leave until I was 27. If the
back to Syria. At the end of July it was obvious that it war hadn`t started, I would have probably continued
was only going to get worse in Aleppo, so I stayed in to live in Aleppo.
Istanbul where I worked as an English teacher for three
years. My life before the war was like any other person`s life
in a city where no bombs are falling constantly and
In August 2015, I moved to Lebanon where I worked as where you can go out with your friends without worry-
an English teacher in a refugee school while I submitted ing whether you’ll make it to the next day.
my application to come as a refugee to Canada.
I worked, I spent time with family, hung out with friends.
Within three months of submitting my application I was I had a normal life. My only regret is that I took it for
on my way here. I arrived in Montreal on January 13th granted.
2016.
10
ACTI VI S M

Although separated by war and scattered all

over the globe, [my friends] are still a big part of
[each other’s] lives.

A: What kind of things have you done to feel a A: Tell me straight up how you feel about the
sense of normalcy during tough times? muslim ban in the U.S.

M: My friends have been the source of my M: I don`t dwell much on American poli-
strength. Since the beginning we stood by tics. It’s nothing but a freak show across the
each other, and ten years later, although border.
separated by the war and scattered all
over the globe, we’re still a big part of my All I can say is that even though the ban
each other’s lives – the good and the bad. seems to focus on Muslims, it doesn’t mean
Having them in my life, even if only virtually, that myself, as a Christian, would be allowed
gives me comfort and hope for the return of entry should I ever decide to visit the US.
the good days. Christian families have been banned and put
on the first flight back to the Middle East as
Having my family here with me brings a big well.
sense of normalcy into my life as well. Having
dinners at my parents’ [home], shopping with The Muslim Ban doesn’t change much of how
my aunt, going out with my cousins and play- things were before Trump became president.
ing with my nephew and niece. I won’t take He just does a good job at letting it be known
these for granted again. I learned my lesson. to the whole world.
 11

ACTI VI S M
A: What do you think people can do to be more
supportive of those fleeing war?

M: It’s very important to remember that behind

all the newspaper articles and online reports
there are human beings who lost a home and
a life. We’re not mere statistics. We’re not an
article on a political To Do list. We’re not the
subject of studies.

We’re human beings and we’re trying to re-

store a sense of normalcy and dignity. We’re
trying to build new lives on the rubble of our
old ones, and many of us can’t afford the time
and energy to grieve for what we lost.

If you meet a refugee, if you work with one, if

you live next door to one, keep that in mind.

A: What is your life like now in Montreal? Do

you have any future plans?

M: Being in Montreal is like being in an ar-

ranged marriage – it wasn’t by choice and it
wasn’t the result of love. But Montreal is beau-
tiful, warm (metaphorically), and welcoming.
How can someone not end up falling in love
with it? But it takes time.

I live a pretty simple life. I work, spend time

with family and take care of my cat that I was
finally able to bring from Istanbul. I would like
to go back to school, make friends, see more of
Canada. It’s only been a year. I have plenty of
time to figure out this new life.
 Better
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 E NTE R TAIN M E N T
13
 Meet the
14
S E X & DATI NG

Original
Webcam
Girl

AMANDA
VA N S LY K E
 15

S E X & DATI NG
B
rittany Halford owned her own A: How long did you run Brittany’s Lounge?

lounge in Edmonton, Canada

B: I began the process of opening the first location,
for 10 years before recently closing which was simply called Brittany’s, on Rice Howard

it down – but before that she was Way in the original Kelly Ramsey Bldg on my 33rd birth-
day (Feb 25, 2007), and after losing the first location to
one of the world’s first webcam girls. fire in March 2009, I came back with Brittany’s Lounge,
Editor-in-Chief Amanda Van Slyke the second location, on 97st. We opened Sept 30, 2011
and closed July 31, 2017.
chatted with the adventurous Brit-
tany over email to see how much the A: What did you love about those years?

industry has changed over the years,

B: I loved the people I met. The conversations. The
how she dealt with stigma back then artistry. Exposing people to events/art that they never
would have given a chance to. The element of surprise.
and advice she’d give to younger
Seeing the sparkle in the eye that indicates a happy/
women trying to figure out what they amused/surprised soul. The creativity that ignites when

want to do with their lives. artists of differing genres are brought together ‘at play.’
I was the only person that got to see it all.

A: Now that chapter is closed, do you have any future

plans?

B: Although I’m open to the unexpected, I feel my next

adventure will take place on board luxury cruise lines
as Cruise Director. It provides the variety I had created
at the land-locked venue in Edmonton, and utilizes the
skills I honed running two art venues. I’ve always pos-
sessed a wander-lust and feel I’ve been able to spend
22 years in Edmonton because I was able to create the
variety I find essential to my own happiness.
16

A: You clearly love adventure. Can you talk a bit about

S E X & DATI NG

how you got into camming work years ago?

B: In 1995 I was 22 and in college and my mum gave

me a computer. Internet was just becoming accessible
to the public. Upon gaining access to the internet I soon
began to explore. Quite quickly I discovered a woman
in California that was selling sets of nude photos from
a website. This was before e-commerce had been es-
tablished, so I would send her a set of 20-30 pictures of
me doing striptease which she would sell and then mail
me a cheque. It was fun, easy money for a confident
college student and I jumped on the now exploding
medium.

By the next year I had started my own amateur website

and in doing so became the second woman in Canada
to have my own site. E-commerce was just beginning
and members would pay $30 USD for access to regu-
larly updated sets of photos.

Very quickly I needed to branch out and began hiring

local women who wanted to explore this new anony-
mous method of exploring their sexuality. It was safe, charge per minute. Having already been doing mem-
and unlike stripping/escort/massage, didn’t expose bers shows for quite awhile, I jumped on board. When
them to being ‘found out’ by family or friends. I pho- I started, I was one of less than 200. That didn’t last
tographed over 100 local women and started another long... Very quickly studios were started, where girls
site to augment my own. were hired to work the cams. It was mainly Eastern Eu-
rope at that time, but North America soon jumped on
Around this time webcams were just beginning to be board.
developed. In 1999 I added a weekly webcam to my
site for members to chat live with me. The internet was Very quickly there were thousands of women online at
so slow a picture would be taken every 25 seconds. I’d any hour of the day, and striptease became passé. It
pose, run for a snack/drink and be back in time for the was at this time that I was interviewed for a new book
next photo! being written called Obscene Profits (still in print!), in it
I talked about how solo, independent women such as
Development of the internet moved very quickly in myself were being replaced by men wanting to control
those days, and very soon streaming was possible. and profit from online porn. I chose to remove myself
With that innovation soon came webcam sites. Ifriends at that point. My own comfort zone was ill suited to
was one of the first, where cam girls could sign up and compete with hardcore porn from other ‘amateurs.’
 17

A: Did you have any support from other cam performers

S E X & DATI NG
then?

B: Not really, it was always fairly hidden. I did mentor a few

local women that started their own sites. But no one was
really out in the open about it. It was a different time. Things
have changed, but it’s still typically something kept private.
People are judgmental and jealousy is always a factor.

A: What was the stigma like?

B: It was something that I kept to myself for the most part.

It was going online which first prompted me to go by the
name Brittany years ago. Two decades and a few business-
es later it was apparent that Brittany wasn’t just a ‘stage-
name,’ it was a permanent choice. I’ve legally changed
my name now, but the origin had to with avoiding stigma.
When I left the internet world and started exotic dancing, I
remained Brittany. When I opened my first lounge, I chose
to call it Brittany’s. I felt the name represented the idea I
was carrying on with shadow dancing.

A: Would you ever do camming again?

B: Never say never, but it’s unlikely that I’d re-enter the
world. I have however been considering the possibility of
doing a video blog of the conversations and people I meet.
Brittany’s Lounge the website would be a place to share the
best of the conversations I have.

A: What advice would you give young women about figur-

ing out what they want to do in life?

I became the second B: Be courageous and true to what makes you happy. Don’t

woman in Canada to do things in an attempt to please anyone else. Be your-

self. Always have reasoning behind every attempt...whether
have my own site. it’s a success or failure. Maybe you’ll find something that
worked, but then find it wasn’t for you after all. Have cour-
age to change. Don’t be afraid to try – or to walk away.
18

What It
LIFE

Means to be
Non-Binary
COSETTE DUBRULE

W
hether they’re accepting of
it or not, a lot of people have
a hard time wrapping their head
around what it means to be non-bi-
nary. It’s understandable, given
most of our society only acknowl-
edges two gender options. I’m hop-
ing that, with this article, I can shed
a little light on the issue.

Let me start by saying that there is

no one way to be non-binary. There
are many different identities that
fall under that category. Mine is only
one. I’ll be talking about my own
experiences in a way that’s (hope-
fully) relatable to other non-binary
folks and informative for everyone
else. It’s not meant to be a catch-all
handbook on non-binary life.
 19

LIFE
First thing: Not everyone does, but I consider non-binary feel they have many. There isn’t one universal way to
to be part of the transgender community. By my per- be non binary. It’s different for all of us, which I think
sonal definition, being transgender means you identify is beautiful. That being said, there are a lot of univer-
with a different gender than the one assigned to you sal feelings and experiences around it, particularly in
at birth. With that open of a definition, I see myself as cultures where these identities go unacknowledged. It
trans. Some prefer to make a distinction between the can be a really hard experience, but it’s very freeing to
two, and that’s okay – but personally, I feel connected be sure of yourself and have the language to describe
to the trans community. these parts of you.

Being non-binary means that your gender identity It took me a very long time to realize my gender iden-
doesn’t fit within the gender binary. The gender binary tity. I’m not exactly sure if it was always there or if, as I
is a spectrum of gender that only presents two options: grew over time, it came to be who I was. Either way, I
Male and female. This is the standard, albeit inaccu- was in my early twenties when I started to question my
rate, model in Western society. For people of non-bi- gender. I had only realized my sexuality a few years
nary identities, gender can be much more vast or com- before that, so adulthood was a major overhaul for
plex than that. In Canada and the US, these identities me. For a long time, even though I was familiar with
are more commonly accepted in certain First Nations gender non-conforming vocabulary, I felt like noth-
groups, such as the Blackfoot, Lakota, Navajo, Zuni and ing I had considered really fit. As I thought about my
Mohave. Outside of the Western world, there are many gender more and more, I noticed I often had a strong
cultures that have acknowledged genders other than urge to dress in what is considered a more masculine
male or female. Countries on this list include, but are far style. Sadly, I didn’t have the wardrobe to accommo-
from limited to, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Nepal, date that, so for a while, I would have breakdowns over
Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Uganda and Mad- feeling ‘wrong’ in my own body. In any other context, it
agascar. Looks like being non-binary wasn’t made up would be silly to cry because you can’t wear the kind of
by Western millenials, after all. top you want to, but there I was. It was the oddest feel-
ing – not feeling like a man, but feeling like I couldn’t
Much like the word ‘queer,’ non-binary can be both an be me in the clothes I had. I felt like the real me was
identity and an umbrella term. In other words, some trapped inside and I couldn’t show it, or even explain
people choose to describe their gender as non-binary the feeling.
(like me), but it’s also a general term for all identities
that fall outside of male or female. The truth is, there Eventually, I began to find myself. I settled on a
are a whole lot of ways to identify that aren’t strictly descriptor: Non-binary, of course. I expanded my
male or female. For some, their gender varies from wardrobe to allow for more masculine styles. I even
day to day. For others, it’s constant. Sometimes they changed my pronouns to they/them/theirs (in other
can define it concretely, sometimes they can’t. Some words, you would call me they or them instead of she
non-binary folks feel they have no gender at all. Some or her). I’ve had a pretty lucky experience in terms of
20
LIFE

We don’t want to make your life hard with different

pronouns – we just want to feel right in our own skin.

coming out. My partner and friends have taken it really It can definitely wear on me hearing people call me
well and are respectful of my identity. However, there she, but I find it harder to hear from strangers than my
are still a lot of places I struggle to be out. Things as friends and family. As I said, many of my loved ones
simple as filling out the gender section of a form can have taken it well and are working hard on making the
be a downer. On rare occasions, I’m given the option change. But when a stranger looks at me and calls me
to pick ‘other,’ and maybe even specify my gender, but Ma’am or Miss, it means that no matter how masculine
usually, I don’t get that luxury. I present that day, I still don’t ‘pass.’ I still don’t make
them wonder my gender enough not to mention it. They
Even going to the bathroom in a public place is hard. If look at me and see a woman, and that often hurts, or
there’s a gender-neutral bathroom, I tend to use that. least feels uncomfortable. The most well-meaning
There, I feel safe to go to the washroom without weird comments from strangers become insults. It’s difficult
looks from anyone. However, when that’s not an option, knowing someone meant no harm in what they said,
I sometimes want to use the men’s room if I’m present- but feeling that harm done, anyway.
ing more masculine that day. I never have unless it was
a single use stall because I fear transphobic or other Most of the time, though, I’m able to come back to
gender-based violence that may result. Sometimes, spaces where people who love me call me by my real
expressing my gender in a way that’s comfortable to pronouns, and that’s the best feeling in the world. I look
me will actually put me in danger. forward to a world that’s more understanding of and
open to non-binary identities, so that I, and other peo-
As for my career, I will soon be an educator, and have ple like me, can freely express themselves as they are
to decide how I would like my students to refer to me. and be met with dignity and respect for it. We don’t
If they call me Madame, that means I can stay in the want to make your life hard with different pronouns –
closet, if I eventually decide it’s unsafe to be out. The we just want to feel right in our own skin.
other option means I have to come out to my super-
visors upfront so that they’ll allow me to use the hon- Let’s keep working together to learn about each other
orific they wouldn’t have assumed I wanted. That’s the and make this world a little more inclusive of every-
problem with my pronouns: In most spaces, people will one. You can help by asking people what pronouns
just assume your gender and apply whatever pronouns they prefer when you meet them, and using ‘they’ when
they see fit – and people who assume your gender are you’re not sure. With just a bit more thought put into our
never going to pick ‘they.’ language, we can make things a lot more manageable
for a lot of trans folk. Believe me, we’ll all really appre-
ciate it.
 E NTE R TAIN M E N T
21
22
S E X & DATI NG

Jane
Way
‘SEX WORK
SAVED ME’
 23

S E X & DATI NG
The queer, non-binary, punk rocker is an
escort and porn performer in
Toronto, Canada.

A M A N D A VA N S LY K E

J
ane Way is a queer, non-binary sex worker with a disability who lives
in Toronto, Canada. They got their start with dancing, camming and
amateur queer porn and are now working as a higher end escort and porn
performer. ‘Filthy luxury’ is their tag-line, and from their popularity online
and positive reviews Jane seems to be doing very well for themselves.

Editor-in-Chief Amanda Van Slyke caught up with Jane

over email to talk about what it’s like to be a sex worker
with a disability, how to become successful in this in-
dustry and how there’s room for everyone in sex work.
24

A: Can you explain to those who

S E X & DATI NG

don’t know what an escort is?

J: I provide a service of sex, intimacy

and freedom.
I believe this job, and the
clients I’ve met along the way,
A: How long have you been working
as an escort and what made you have saved me.
decide to make it your career?

J: I’ve been doing sex work since I

was 18, but my escort career is still
a mere two years old at this point.
I was already doing porn and cam
work, I was heavy in my addiction
and I needed money. I started turn-
ing tricks as a way to support myself,
especially after my Ehlers-Danlos
diagnosis. I never looked back – I
knew I had found my path in life.
Especially after I got sober and
started taking care of myself more,
I knew that sex work was an integral
part of my healing process.

A: You’re unapologetically a queer,

non-binary punk rocker. Has this
been an obstacle in your career or
given you a unique brand?

J: It’s definitely turned off a lot of

potential business. I’ve made a lot
of compromises, especially in my
early days when I was often faced
with the choice of shrinking myself
in order to make the money I need-
ed to survive. I’m privileged enough
now that I can be unapologetic
about who I am and still support
myself financially. But I want to take
 25

S E X & DATI NG
A: You were renowned as a top provider in 2016. What
steps should other independent escorts take who as-
pire to become successful?

J: Work at it. Work as hard as you can. You’re going

to have slow days, slow months, even a slow year.
You’re going to bomb, you’re going to get nothing but
time-wasters, you’re going to get turned down be-
cause you’re not ‘pretty’ enough or you’re too ‘outspo-
that privilege and fight back with it, now that I’m in a ken’ or you aren’t ‘enough,’ but you’ll find your niche if
position to do so. My stubbornness and unwillingness you work at it. And don’t let the ‘success’ of cis white
to give up integral parts of myself and my identity have women speak to your self worth. There is a big part
turned my brand into a force of nature. of sex work that is privilege. I recognize that my white
privilege grants me a lot of opportunities. But you can
A: Can you talk a bit about your experience as a sex do it, and you aren’t less than if you have to make com-
worker with a disability? Has it hindered you on the job promises to survive.
or has the job empowered you?
A: For those who still look at sex work as shameful, what
J: Disability reaches even the darkest corners of my life. words do you have to help break the stigma?
I’m a fighter, and doing sex work allows me to fight for
myself. I’m allowed the time off enough to rest and take J: Stop worrying about what I do with my body, and
care of myself, the money to afford life-changing med- what my clients and I consent to do with each others’.
ications and mobility devices and the confidence and Sex work is pure magic.
skills to cope mentally. I believe this job, and the clients
Follow Jane on Twitter @janewayxyz
I’ve met along the way, have saved me.
26
STY LE

Fab
&50+
THESE 50+ WOMEN
SHOW STYLE IS
AGELESS
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27
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29
 30
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31
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Ingrid Jean-Baptise started the Chelsea Film

E N T E R TAIN M E NT

Festival for unheard voices.

B E C C A C L A R KS O N

HOW
A CAR
CRASH
BIRTHED
A FILM
FESTIVAL
 33

E NTE R TAIN M E N T
I
ngrid Jean-Baptiste is a French journalist and actor living in New York,
U.S.A. She’s also the co-founder of the Chelsea Film Festival – which she
founded after being in a car accident. FLURT’s Becca Clarkson chatted with
Ingrid over email about finding inspiration through pain, the difference
between American and European self-care and her close relationship with
her business partner – her mom.

B: I’m sorry to hear that you were in a car accident in I: I went through many different emotions during my
2012, but I read that you attribute this event as the cat- recovery. It wasn’t obvious to me at first what I was go-
alyst for Chelsea Film Festival’s creation. I feel like most ing to do with my life. I came out of the hospital in a
people would be exhausted/discouraged/bitter about wheelchair with 7 broken ribs, a fractured spine and
their career being put on hold because of an accident. concussions. It was chaos! My life was falling apart a
What about your hospitalization and injuries made you year after I graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theatre
want to start a film festival? & Film Institute in New York, right when I was building
my acting career. One morning I woke up with this cra-
zy idea of wanting to create an international platform
for emerging artists that would raise awareness about
global issues and change the world one film at a time.
Since I live in Chelsea, I thought why not call it Chel-
sea Film Festival? It took me a month to find the name
though. I asked my mother to collaborate with me on
this project (she was also in the car accident among
seven other injured people). She thought I was crazy,
but after a couple of hours of discussion, she agreed to
help. Today, she’s the co-founder of the festival.
 34
E N T E R TAIN M E NT

B: The tagline of the festival is ‘Making the World a B: What made you move from Paris to New York to pur-
Better Place by Giving a Voice to the Unheard.’ For the sue acting when your past career was as a journalist?
upcoming Chelsea Film Festival this October, are there Can you describe your trajectory between these two
specific unheard voices you wish to illuminate? careers for our readers?

I: We hope to continue to showcase films made by fe- I: I’ve always fought for social justice in my life – hence
male artists, content from the LGBTQ community and the reason that I wanted to become a journalist or law-
certainly more voices from black and latinx filmmakers. yer. I decided to study history at La Sorbonne University
in Paris and then worked as a journalist for a few years,
B: I understand that you were born in Paris and raised which was a way for me to give voice to the unheard
between there and London. How, if at all, has your ex- through my writing. Acting had never been a passion
perience as a foreign person of color living in New York of mine – but I took acting classes when I was young to
changed since The Trump administration came into open me up, because I was a very shy kid. It was also a
power? Have your visions for The Chelsea Film Festival way for me to become more comfortable in front of the
changed at all in light of this? camera if I wanted to become a broadcast journalist.
In 2010, I moved from Paris to study acting in New York
I: My vision for the Chelsea Film Festival has always and it was the best present I’ve ever offered myself. It
been to make this world a better place through the totally changed my life and my persona. I wanted to
powerful medium of film. Yes, film can raise aware- move to America, and my mom, who’s my mentor, sug-
ness and resonate into people’s lives. We’re living in a gested that I sign up for proper acting training in New
Manichean world, where you York, which I did!
have the good and bad people.
That’s not how I see the world. My biggest challenge is To me, a journalist and an actor
What’s happening in America have a lot in common – specif-
isn’t in any way different than
being a young French ically the idea of being a voice
what we experience in Europe. woman of color. for someone else who might not
Being a foreign person of color have been heard in their life-
living in New York and running a time. Embracing their life, be-
film festival was a challenge before Trump came into coming that person – that’s huge, isn’t it? It’s a big re-
power. I want to remain optimistic and hope for the sponsibility and that’s what’s amazing about these two
best – I believe in this country and its people, that’s why careers. Think of Oprah, she’s a professional journalist
I chose to live here. and an amazing actress.
 35

E NTE R TAIN M E N T
B: What’s it like to co-found and co-organize The Chel-
sea Film Festival with your mother? How do you two
separate your business relationship from your personal
one?

I: She’s the best person I could do business with! I know I

can trust her – we always have each other’s back. She’s
my mom for God’s sake! I know she wants the best of
the best for me. We’ve actually worked together in the
past, when she was running an advertising business. I
used to spend my weekends helping her with intense
deadlines. Sonia has been my mentor for many years.
She’s a businesswoman, but also an actress, which was makers. We’re grateful to have welcomed the Fashion
the perfect combination to become my partner. Of Institute of Technology as our Educational Partner since
course we fight, but that’s because we love each oth- 2015. We receive support from the City Council, Corey
er and we’re not afraid to defend our positions. We’re Johnson, the Department of Cultural Affairs and many
both true to ourselves, that’s what works in our busi- other Institutions and worldwide brands. My biggest
ness. We actually don’t think of separating our business challenge is being a young French woman of color.
relationship from our personal one, it just comes natu- I never admitted this in the past, but after four years
rally. Every year after the festival, we look back on what now, I can honestly say that it has been challenging for
worked and what didn’t, and we learn how to make the sponsors to trust me and my capabilities of putting on
festival better. I’m very proud of having my mom as my a film festival.
partner and I’m where I am today in part because of
her tremendous resilience and support. She’s been my B: What is your relationship with self care as such a
strength. busy, successful woman?

B: What has been the biggest challenge of putting on I: I have some breathing rituals I do every morning to
a film festival? make sure I stay grounded and connected to Moth-
er Earth. I do yoga and spinning at least three or four
I: Since 2013, we showcased 220 official NY premieres times a week when I am not traveling for work. I cook
– not bad for a young film festival. My mom, my team my meals every night for dinner, which is very thera-
and I work day and night to support emerging film- peutic – take out food is really not my thing! I also hate
 36
E N T E R TAIN M E NT

The French way of living is much

more mellow and relaxed.

being in a routine, so I try to change up my schedule nect from Friday night until Sunday. Talking business on
every week, adding some spice to it. This ranges any- weekends is almost a sin. Because I love my job I don’t
where from going out to watch a Dominican indie doc- mentally disconnect, but I certainly try not to answer my
umentary at a film festival to dining in a new vegan emails, otherwise I miss time with my loved ones.
restaurant in the Lower East Side or checking out an art
exhibition in Brooklyn. Basically, I like adventure— that’s B: Do you ever anticipate moving back to Paris and
really how I take care of myself and cope with my busy working in film there?
New York life.
I: I don’t have any plans of moving back to Paris, but
B: How, if at all, does American and European self-care I travel to Europe very often, so I don’t miss it for too
culture differ? long at a time. I do, however, have plans to work in film
there as an actress and want to organize a Chelsea
I: That’s a great question – it actually does differ in Film Festival in Paris!
many ways. The French way of living is much more
Ingrid Jean-Baptiste recently received the Audience
mellow and relaxed. For instance, if you work in France
Award for The Trophies of the French People Living
you get an hour lunch break! That seems luxurious to
Abroad by Le Petit Journal. If you’re in New York in Oc-
me, however it reminds me that one must take a break
tober 2017, make sure not to miss the Chelsea Film Fes-
while eating, which I do every evening. The attitude on
tival. And find Ingrid on twitter @IngridjbCFF.
weekends differs too – French people really discon-
 E NTE R TAIN M E N T
37
 38

Can Virtual
E N T E R TAIN M E NT

Reality Cure
Mental Illness?
BECCA
CLARKSON
 39

L IFE
W
hat we know as virtual reality – VR has been praised for its extraordi-
computer produced images, sensory nary potential to help people overcome
mental health ailments such as phobias,
information on a display system, a tracker
PTSD and alcohol abuse. The simulation
feeding back the user’s orientation for visual of triggering scenarios for the sufferers

updates – has been around for fifty years. encourages a reprogramming of their
problematic thoughts, reactions and
The reason that VR is a hot topic recently is behavior. The simulations can be re-
in part thanks to the investment of global peated and graded by difficulty, which
allows for a controlled and consistent
companies in the new generation of head- environment during therapy sessions.
mounted display products and supple- While there are some disorders that
wouldn’t require a therapist’s guidance
mental equipment, making it a somewhat
and ‘empathy games’ designed for the
affordable consumer product. Once an elite able minded, the majority of VR therapy
is designed to be led by a psychological
toy for gamers, virtual reality (VR) headsets
professional.
are trying to gain a foothold in therapeu-
tics as a treatment for mental illness. Under Their purpose reaches beyond treat-
ment – VR also has the potential to aid
the impression that mental illness is insep- professionals with assessing symptoms,
arable from the environment, VR headsets identifying correlating symptoms and
signs, understanding factors predic-
offer safe, computer-generated interactive tive of disorders, testing already known
environments to aid patients in facing their causal factors, investigating different
predictions of symptoms, determin-
fears.
40
L IFE

The pretense that false simulation could

replace therapy or medication altogether
would be irresponsible.

ing toxic elements in the environment and developing dens of mental illness, solutions need to target the still
personalized treatment. Virtual reality therapy comes prevalent stigma associated with the diseases. Symp-
from a consumerist place with good intentions, and the toms of disorders are still largely dismissed as ‘excus-
world should take any help it can get in stopping what es’ for bad behavior. It’s concerning to imagine how
The World Health Organization has deemed a global skewed the statistics we have on mental health may be
health crisis. given the fact that many persons still refuse to seek help
from health professionals and go undiagnosed and un-
Global attitude towards mental illness is getting more treated. The Canadian Mental Health Society released
progressive thanks to the openness of public figures a report indicating that while 72% of Canadians would
and corporate campaigns like Bell’s #Letstalk. While discuss a diagnosis of cancer with friends or co-work-
the statistics are becoming common knowledge, ers, only 50% of people would discuss their or their
they’re still overwhelming and concerning. An estimat- loved one’s mental illness. Furthermore, many people
ed 350 million persons are affected by mental illness. suffering from mental illness are blocked by their gen-
Apparently, one out of every four people in the busy uine belief that they are undeserving of treatment. It’s
Vancouver café I’m writing in suffers from some level difficult for people to have self-compassion when they
of mental illness. In Canada alone, 50% of citizens over believe they shouldn’t be sick, don’t see their illnesses
40 years old have or have experienced a mental illness. as deserving of attention or are angry at themselves for
There seems to be an overwhelming amount of cam- being unable to ‘snap out of it.’
paigns and initiative to fight obesity in America, where
over 1/3rd of the population is considered obese – but While mental illness can cost people their livelihood,
where is that enthusiasm when it comes to preventing relationships, physical health and even their lives, the
mental illness? cost of treatment can be the factor deferring people
from seeking diagnosis and treatment. In a recent
I don’t believe that the growing reports of mental health Rolling Stones article that examined the illegal use of
issues in the world is because there isn’t a variety of psychedelic drugs for psychiatric treatment, the pa-
treatment methods. In order to alleviate individual bur- tients anonymously interviewed had more than their
 41

E NTE R TAIN M E N T
untraditional medication in common—they
were all middle-class and white. Mental ill-
ness is brutal and all about perspective, so in
no way do I mean to belittle the suffering of
the middle-class white folk. It’s important to
keep in mind, however, that minorities and the
poor are often predisposed to mental illness
and triggers, all while facing more stigma and
barriers to help.

People in the lowest income groups are three to

four times more likely to have a mental illness.
Seventy percent of mental health problems
are onset during childhood or adolescence, vast majority who don’t. These sessions still cost the same as a
at a time when funding for treatment may one-on-one counseling session – which ranges from $75-200
fall largely on the guardians of youth. Mental USD. Many therapists suggest weekly appointments, a luxu-
health issues make people twice as likely to ry that few can afford if their place of work doesn’t subsidize
have a substance abuse issue and, consider- it. Considering the economic burdens of mental health on the
ing that both addiction and mental health is- economy such as disability leave, absences and low productiv-
sues are complicated and hard to understand ity, which cost both Canada and the U.S hundreds of billions of
by those unaffected, ill persons don’t always dollars each year, you’d think leaders would prioritize finding a
have supportive networks to financially aid solution to the stigma and cost barriers of treatment.
them. Adding a new treatment method like VR
headsets which involves advanced technolo- Call me cynical, but contrary to the articles online support-
gy and a therapist’s guidance only helps those ing this technological revolution, I find this treatment method
with pre-existing access to treatment, not the problematic. While I understand the benefits of controlled, safe
42
L IFE

exposure to reoccurring triggers, perhaps virtual reality reeks of consumerist notions – the idea that we need to
therapy is more beneficial in terms of what it can show buy more to feel better, technology can get things done
therapists than as an accessible treatment. Through more efficiently than humans, etc. We shouldn’t need to
this engineering and technology, physical cues such have corporate names like ‘Bell’ in front of awareness
as eye movement and heart rate can be measured to campaigns, and cool headsets before we’re interested
calculate potential triggers and help therapists specify in helping the mentally ill. It all seems very imperson-
treatment methods. The idea that repeated simulation al. There have been successful cases of chronic pain
of real-life triggers will aid being treated through vir-
patients seems overly hope- tual reality therapy – which,
ful, however. Though suf- The world should take any help while being beneficial for
ferers of mental illness have it can get in stopping what The many sufferers, still makes
chemical imbalances that me concerned about how this
make their thought patterns
World Health Organization has treatment method may cre-
diverge from ‘the average deemed a global health crisis. ate more stigma towards the
person,’ they’re far from stu- mentally ill. If someone with
pid. People know they’re not chronic pain can be treat-
actually looking over a city from the tallest skyscraper, ed through VR, shouldn’t a depressed person be able
or confronting their attacker while using VR. Real events to just get some more Vitamin D and smile? Shouldn’t
are unpredictable, and treatment should be designed an anorexic just be able to eat a burger and get over
to prepare patients for the uncertainty of who, what, themselves? Will the long and grueling process of deal-
where and when their next trigger will be. Catharsis ing with life-long mental illnesses be belittled through
may be one benefit of VR simulations, and a height- video game-esque suggested remedies?
ened sense of confidence or assurance may be found
in treatment – but the pretense that false simulation Of course, more help isn’t negative, but if additional
could replace therapy or medication altogether would solutions are within similar realms of pre-existing treat-
be irresponsible. ments, we’re still in need of farther reaching remedies.
Powerful groups need to step up and make moves to-
VR therapy has the potential to educate not only mental wards funding for mental illness treatment programs,
health professionals about different diseases and caus- medication and awareness. And at this rate, we need
es, but also the public. Many companies are designing these moves made STAT.
‘empathy games’ for people who voluntarily wish to ex-
perience a simulated anxiety attack. Still, the concept
 E NTE R TAIN M E N T
43
44
E N T E R TAIN M E NT

Why You Should

Consider Switching
to a Menstrual Cup
EMMA GAMMANS

A
few years ago I was living with a roommate who The most common reason menstruating humans ar-
swore by a menstrual cup. She encouraged me to gue against the menstrual cup is because they lack an
ditch tampons and embrace the cup – but despite her understanding of how it’s used. Meanwhile, plenty of
list of arguments I’d usually just cringe and walk away. I people getting their periods for the first time will grav-
associated menstrual cups with the word ‘nasty.’ I know itate towards pads since tampons can appear daunt-
I’m not the only one. Finally, after years of rejecting the ing. When it comes to the cup, how exactly does one
idea, I caved and gave it a try. At the time, I was plan- go about handling such a contraption? Will it hurt? Will
ning a thirty-day camping trip and the idea of ‘pack- it get stuck? When learning to use tampons, people
ing out’ a baggie of used tampons was nastier than the sometimes insert the tampon at an awkward angle,
idea of the cup itself. Two years later I can’t imagine making the tampon’s presence noticeably uncomfort-
ever using another tampon. able. This goes to show that every new device comes
with a learning curve.
 45

L IFE
Although most menstruating hu- them to their bodies. Meanwhile,
mans I know have admitted to fum- by learning about one’s cycle, a
bling with a tampon at some point person can take note of changes in
in time, many continue to argue that consistency so as to take better care
they don’t know how to use a men- of their health.
strual cup. Once upon a time many
of us were forced to learn about Secondly, menstrual cups are a
tampons because we wanted to saviour while on the road. As I men-
go swimming or play sports – so tioned, I personally started using the
why shouldn’t we take a moment cup in order to avoid ‘packing out’
to learn about menstrual cups? In- a baggie of tampons. Cups offer
serting one is as easy as inserting a travellers and outdoor enthusiasts a
tampon and in addition to equiva- more manageable option. Instead
lent ease, the cup presents a myr- of carrying around a large box of
iad of undeniable benefits – such tampons on multi-day hikes or
as the reduced risk of Toxic Shock climbing trips, people who get their
Syndrome (TSS) and reduced costs periods can empty their menstrual
and lessening one’s environmental cup, clean it with a bit of boiled wa-
footprint. But there are other less ter each night and continue on wor-
commonly discussed benefits too. ry free. Also, depending on where a
person is travelling, finding pads or
First off, stigmas continue to exist tampons isn’t always easy – so car-
around menstrual flow. If some- rying a cup keeps you covered at all
one cuts their knee a few people times.
might cringe, but if a person bleeds
through their pants, the embar- Finally, menstrual cups will keep you
rassment will run high. Perhaps feeling sexy! Wearing a tampon or
the first step to fighting this stigma pad can feel uncomfortable when
is by encouraging people to learn getting intimate with a partner, but
about their bodies. Few people with cups you don’t have to worry
who get their periods actually know about a string, chaffing, smell or
how much they bleed (the average any other nuisances that might kill
menstruating person bleeds one to the mood. Note that menstrual cups
two ounces per cycle), and the dis- shouldn’t be worn during penetra-
posability of tampons perpetuates tion, but due to their discreet nature,
this lack of awareness. In this sense, menstruating people can otherwise
menstrual cups empower men- fly under the radar.
struating humans by connecting
 Join the
46

Movement
E N T E R TAIN M E NT

rt
#imaflu

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