Sex Radical. A new film by Andy Kirshner; film discussion by Janet Rudolph

At the bottom of this post you will find information for a free streaming of the film. 

We are witnessing now in real time what happens when the full weight of the Federal Government turns its attentions and goes after individuals and even companies with the intent to squash dissent, intimidate and punish dissenters. This is perhaps most prominent among the immigrant population and those who the administration have been targeted with the legal system. But before there was Mahmoud Khalil, CBS, The Washington Post, UC Berkeley and all the others who have been hounded by government, there was Ida Craddock who faced the full weight of a government that turned its sights on her.

Ida Craddock is the subject of a new film about to be premiered, Sex Radical by Andy Kirshner and NewHistoryFilms. It is an example of where art meets the political moment. As Kirschner says, “It’s a story about the past that’s also about the present. It may be a cliché, but we really can only understand where we’re at by looking at the past.”

I recently had the pleasure to interview Andy as well as to see a preview copy of the film.[1] I highly recommend it. It is well worth seeing both for its impact as well as its content. The world premiere is October 30 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After the premiere it will be available for free streaming from Oct 31^st to Nov. 4^th  (details below).  I hope that everyone takes this opportunity.  It is an important topic that is highlighted in a well-made film that is educational as well as impactful, visually entertaining and fact-filled.  The multi-talented Andy Kirshner also wrote the music which provides a multi-layered counterpoint to a difficult story.   

Ida Craddock, a sexologist, a feminist, a religious seeker in the late 19^th century, came under the eye of Anthony Comstock, US Postal Inspector. He hounded her, brought her to trial, imprisoned her, all of which ultimately led to her suicide at the age of 45. Hers is a tragic story and in many ways Comstock himself was diminished by his actions. That is, at least, until now when our current administration, as part of Project 2025 is working to bring back the law named for him, the Comstock Law. The law, from 1873, criminalized the mailing of “obscene,” “lewd,” or “indecent” materials, which included pornography, and contraception. Today’s plan is to use this law to prevent any abortion related medications and information from traveling through the US mail [as well as other common carriers such as FedEx and others].  

This part of the reason that this film is important and why it needs to have as wide a screening as possible.

During our interview it was fun to dive into the mind of an artist at work and glimpse the creative process behind the product. Andy Kirshner first heard of the story in 2008/2009 through a lecture from Leigh Eric Schmidt who is a professor of religion and humanities at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Schmidt wrote the book Heaven’s Bride: The Unprintable Life of Ida C. Craddock, American Mystic, Scholar, Sexologist, Martyr and Madwoman. This book became the initial spark of this movie. Eventually Kirshner received a grant to visit the Ida Craddock’s archives which contain her writings, letters, pamphlets and more. He found a wealth of material to understand her and to draw upon

Sex Radical is creatively crafted film with scenes from history interspersed with re-enactments including Ida’s dreams and visions shown through a misty filter to capture the mood. In another creative touch, Kirshner has the film narrated by Emma Goldman who was also a feminist of the time period. While it is unlikely they met in person, Emma Goldman wrote of Ida Craddock in her autobiography. They were both feminists who challenged Anthony Comstock and were jailed and exiled throughout their lives for their work and for speaking up most particularly about sex.  In this clever writing, Emma Goldman provides a foil. She is a curmudgeonly older woman in this movie who is able to provide commentary that is both biting and satirical. For example, when she notes in their shared experience that “exile is the worst way to take a vacation.”

Andy described it this way “There’s a kind of counterpoint between the two of them, where Emma Goldman admires Ida for her dedication to the cause and also thinks some of what Ida did was a little bit ridiculous. I also find it inspiring that two people who were so different . . .that Emma Goldman could have such respect for this person who had very different opinions.  Also that a lot of people came together to oppose Comstock, who were not necessarily natural allies but had this commitment to free speech and to more openness around sexuality and to gender equality.

“In her autobiography Emma Goldman talks about how everybody thinks that Margaret Sanger invented the whole birth control movement, but in fact, there were previous generations of people including Craddock, Moses Harmon, EB Foote who were the initiators of this movement in the late 19^th century and were also challenging Comstock.”

You can head to the website here to see a trailer and sign up for the free streaming which will run from Oct 31^st  to Nov 4^th. You can also get information about live showings and other events. Please share with friends, perhaps even set up a watch party. Spread the word as far and wide as possible.  

Link for free streaming which is available Oct 31st to Nov 4th. Or https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/sexradicalstream

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[1] Quotes are lightly edited.