Live to Dive 

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to an end, I’d like to urge viewers and filmmakers to take a long and hard look at how rape is portrayed on screen.

This short film was an overall creative success.

The social issues The Half of it takes on are handled well, between the antagonization brought on to Ellie for her race and the conflict that arises from her being gay. Both aspects of her character are built up over the course of the film and don’t seem abrupt or rushed. The film shows racism towards Ellie and her and father in varying levels, from having her schoolmates specifically address her as "Chinese girl” to the fore mentioned way her Dad is treated due to language barriers. The same can be said about Ellie being a lesbian. While she never truly “comes out” in the narrative, that does not undermine her journey of self-discovery from being meaningful. These ideas aren’t thrust upon the viewer in a preachy manor, the scenarios that occur feel believable given the rural setting. The film presents watchers with problems whom those like Ellie may face, and leaves us to sit with them and reflect.

The whole family will enjoy these fantasy and science fiction stories about families and individuals connecting, finding true love, and discovering self.

Want a list to watch some of the best Japanese anime films of all time? Check out this article which presents some anime films that will keep you glued to your couch!

When most of us think about diversity in film, we usually think about three things: race, gender, and disabilities. However, there is a forgotten topic... age. These are 12 of the best films about growing old.