What happens when a radical group of nuns takes on the Catholic Church patriarchy by deciding to live their truth through marching in Selma, creating protest art and trying to change the sexism and broken infrastructure of this hidebound institution?
In the late 60’s, social change percolated across America including in one unexpected precinct - the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary convent in Los Angeles. The feature documentary Rebel Hearts, directed by Pedro Kos, tells the riveting and rollicking story of these bold and defiant nuns who knew that the world was changing and they had to be part of it. The women went on to make art, march in Selma and push back against the sexism and broken infrastructure within the Catholic Church. As one might expect, they were met with deep and formidable opposition from the patriarchy in the Catholic Church, even though what the nuns were doing were acts of faith. Their resistance caused all sorts of turmoil for the Catholic Church and their impact continues to resonate today, inspiring a new generation of rebel hearts who are committed to love and equality.
Film: Rebel Hearts
Speakers: Rosa Manriquez, Lenore Dowling, Pedro Kos
In-Person •Friday, Sept 31 | 7:30 - 10pm | Sheridan Opera House
Community Encore •Sunday, Oct 3 | 3 - 5pm | Sheridan Opera House
Virtual •Oct 3 - 31
Rebel Hearts
In 1960s Los Angeles a trailblazing group of nuns, The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, bravely stood up to the patriarchy of the Catholic Church, fighting for equality, their livelihoods, and their own freedom against an all-powerful Cardinal who sought to keep them in their place. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate today. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be.
These unlikely resistance fighters, including Anita Caspary, Helen Kelley, Pat Reif and iconic pop artist Corita Kent, were devoted to a life of service, not only to others but to themselves - forming a community that empowered each sister to live up to her fullest potential. Their desire to bring the church into modern life was met with forceful opposition at every turn. As each of them discovered their own talents and voices, they fully stepped into their roles as leaders in a movement that is still making waves.
Pedros Kos (he/him)
Pedros Kos is an Emmy Award-winning editor and the director of Rebel Hearts, a feature-length film that tells the story of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart who banded together to dismantle the patriarchy ingrained in the Catholic Church. Pedros recently wrote and produced Netflix Original Documentary The Great Hack, which looked closely at the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and also directed Bending the Arc (201X) about festival guest Dr. Paul Farmer (speaking virtually as part of our OT Spotlight series). His latest feature Rebel Hearts will be screened at the show Becoming Braver, followed by a conversation with Pedros Kos and some cast members from the film.
Lenore Dowling (she/her)
Former LA-based Catholic nun in the 1950s and film teacher at the Immaculate Heart College until it closed in 1980, Lenore Dowling’s story has recently been retold in the documentary film Rebel Hearts. Lenore is a living testament to the progress The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary made when they spoke out against the patriarchy in the Catholic Church in the 1960s. Lenore earned her PhD in Communications and Cinema from University of Southern California and will speak to her personal experience in the show Becoming Braver.
Rosa Manriquez (she/her)
Rosa Manriquez is a third-generation Latinx mother and devout Catholic from Los Angeles who was taught and inspired by the Immaculate Heart nuns. Rosa holds a Master of Arts in Theology and has been part of the Assembly Planning Committee in the Immaculate Heart Community. She serves on the Commission on Justice for Immigrants and Refugees and the Antiracism Task Force and will be speaking at the show Becoming Braver.