Josh Aronson Movies

Eve Ensler's theater piece The Vagina Monologues has become an international phenomenon and a source of empowerment for women of all walks of life. However, in 2005 Ensler became involved in a special production of The Vagina Monologues for a group of women whose story was not dealt with in the play -- women who used to be men. A group of transsexuals were interested in staging a version of the show that was unique to them, and Ensler not only gave her blessings to the project, but worked with the cast of transgendered performers to give the text a voice that was appropriate to their circumstances. Filmmakers Josh Aronson and Ariel Orr Jordan were on hand to witness the gestation of this unique performance, and Beautiful Daughters is a documentary which not only chronicles the writing and rehearsals for the transsexual Vagina Monologues, but explores the lives and experiences of the women performing the play, who run the gamut from a respected computer science instructor to a exotic dancer turned real estate salesperson. Produced for broadcast on the premium cable channel Logo, Beautiful Daughters was also screened as part of New York City's 2006 NewFest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

For anyone who ever wondered about the adrenaline rush that comes while you're sitting atop 2000 pounds of thrashing muscle and fury, filmmaker Josh Aronson offers this rousing look at the life of a professional bull rider. The members of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. (PBR) put their lives on the line in the name of entertainment, and every night they work could be their last. In this film, Aronson turns his lens on the top three riders on the planet as they prepare to take part in the world championship and vie for the million dollar prize. Both in the arena and out, these modern day gladiators never allow their determination to waver - even for a second. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

An informative and emotionally involving portrait of an important subculture, Sound and Fury allows us a glimpse inside the world of the deaf community, while dealing with a controversial operation that some people in that community are resisting. Cochlear ear implants have allowed many deaf people to hear and learn to speak, but many in the deaf community who are happy with its supportive and nurturing atmosphere see the operation as a threat. The film focuses on the Artinian brothers -- Peter is deaf, Chris is not -- who are faced with the same decision over one of their children. Peter is married to Nita, a deaf woman, and the oldest of their three deaf children, five-year-old Heather, decides she wants the operation. Her parents are torn, wanting to accede to Heather's wishes but afraid of losing her to the land of the hearing. Chris and his hearing wife, Mari, also have three children, but only one-an infant twin-can't hear. They (and Peter and Chris's hearing parents) are all for the operation, and the film charts the progress of the debates among the family and their final decisions on the operation. Sound and Fury was screened in competition at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide