Educational Media Reviews Online

Though a scant 18 minutes long, In Bed with a Mosquito takes a thorough look at anti-war activist Betty Brassell. At 78, Betty is a member of the Granny Peace Brigade which is an organization that engages in street protests, civil disobedience, direct political action, letter writing and other forms of political protest.

The film succeeds as a snapshot of an elderly woman who has been enlivened by a renewed purpose centered on anti-war activism. It begins with shots of the Brigade grannies on the streets of New York chanting anti-war slogans and handing out buttons and flyers. Though you see other Peace Brigade grannies in the film, the focus on Betty covers her migration to New York’s Lower East Side form Georgia, her various collections, her rise to political consciousness and her recent health set backs. As a portrait of an independent older woman it is comprehensive and we get a distinct appreciation of Betty’s life as a full one.

Betty’s insights into aging are revealing and in large part a motivation for her politicization. She claims that the senior center was boring and all they did there was talk about each other. She has more in common with the ladies in the Granny Peace Brigade who, like her, “don’t just sit home and talk.” As a young mother in Georgia she had no notion of political activism and eventually fled to New York to save her family from an abusive husband. Once settled in her Lower East Side neighborhood, she was impressed with the “take to the streets” methods of her neighbors. But it was not until relatively late in life that she became politically engaged and began political action in earnest. Though activism compares favorably to gossiping at the senior center, it is clear that her self image, social life and sense of purpose is bolstered by her work for the cause—it is a lot more than a feisty alternative.

In Bed with a Mosquito is a great film for an introductory women’s studies class or a political science class that focused on political dissent and 60’s style activism. By focusing on Betty the film does not invite more sweeping conclusions or statements about peace activism—it is a portrait of an interesting person. I think that it is one of the strengths of the film is that it does not use Betty as a neutral vehicle for political statements or set her up as a zany old character. She is an engaging subject for a short film and the scope is appropriate.

Because of Betty’s age and her willingness to be an outspoken activist, courses or discussions centered on aging, ageism, anti-war movements and feminism would find the film worthwhile. The length, too, is great for in-class viewing and discussion.

Awards:

• CMJ CineMinis Film Festival, Winner Documentary Category