Reviews & Quotes | The Dilemma of Desire

Educational Media Reviews Online | Ciara Healy, Librarian for Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University
Highly Recommended “The Dilemma of Desire would be an excellent film to accompany a campus event like Vagina Monologues, PRIDE, or other body/sex positive programming on campus; or the Biology department, Women's and Gender Studies, or the medical school.”

International Documentary Association
"The film uncovers the myths and lies that women are being told about their own bodies. The documentary sheds light on not only what the female clitoris is, but also why women’s sexual desires are often pushed to the wayside. With the #MeToo movement still in full swing, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to launch a documentary about gender politics and women’s libidos into the world."

Films for the Feminist Classroom | Lynn Comella
"The film wastes no time showing that there is nothing straightforward or easy about harnessing sexual knowledge in a culture that routinely denies women sexual agency and information. ... [It] centers the experiences of women of color and queer women, showing us what truly intersectional feminist filmmaking can look like."

Film Inquiry | Stephanie Archer
"It is a fascinating exploration in female sexuality and everything it encompasses” 

The Gate | Andrew Parker
“... Dilemma of Desire uses the deeply human and relatable stories of all its other interviewees so empathetically and brilliantly... These narratives are indispensable when it comes to talking about sexual equality in the world today."

Hammer to Nail | Christopher Reed 
"With a captivating cast of talking-head interview subjects, Finitzo creates a comprehensive overview of  the erotic world of women that dispels all preconceptions and false notions...The Dilemma of Desire is a  marvel, fierce in its focus to rewrite the rules of behavior for all to follow"

Hollywood Reporter | Leslie Felperin
“...empowering, sex-positive...frank but essentially feel-good work...The eclectic emotional journeys of  other women met here... are told with impeccable empathy."

Indiewire | Kate Erbland 
“...very funny and intensely informational ... — Finitzo’s film takes a thrilling look at female bodies...What the filmmaker and her subjects ultimately find goes beyond just questions of art, science, and representation (like that’s not already enough), offering a full spectrum look at how ignoring anatomy feeds into all corners of existence."

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A Reel of One's Own | Andrea Thompson 
"Director Maria Finitzo may not speak or appear on-screen, but her presence is continual as she guides “The Dilemma of Desire” through the myriad complexities of its own topics, with a respect for her  diverse subjects other filmmakers mostly dream of achieving. They were clearly well-chosen, as they  do a fantastic job of articulating the message of empowerment Finitzo clearly wants to send, as each  finds their own joy and freedom despite the many obstacles in their path to both." 

Rogerebert.com | Brian Tallerico
"It's a movie designed to get people talking."

Screen Zealots | Louisa Moore 
"This is a good looking and well-crafted documentary. Beautiful graphics and animation add to the  story, and scenes of a group of regular women sitting around and chatting in a circle of friends gives it a  homey, authentic feel” 

Toronto Guardian | Sonya Davidson 
"It’s a powerful reminder that true equality will come only when we all arrive at a place of  understanding and acknowledgment that women are sexual beings, entitled to live their lives fully within  the expression of their desire."