Whitefish Bay Filmmaker Will Host Screening at Library

Conversations between teenage girls at sleepovers can be emotional, intimate and honest.

Whitefish Bay filmmaker Laj Waghray decided to capture those intimate conversations in her documentary, "Sleepovers," which spans the course of three sleepovers set 10 years apart. The film premiered during the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival.

Waghray will host a screening of her documentary at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Whitefish Bay Public Library. After the screening, Waghray will be available to answer questions from the audience.

The movie trailer can be viewed here. The film deals with some adult themes and may not be appropriate for small children. Free tickets are available at the library's Adult Services desk. 

Here is a brief description of the film: 

“Sleepovers” intertwines images of 12-year-olds playing and talking and more self-conscious 18-year-olds and a third sleepover at age 21. The girls tell their stories with the benefit of hindsight, addressing their growth and how they and their relationships have changed. Some bear scars of sadness; others believe their close friendship with each other got them through the worst of their adolescence. Their stories share the struggles young women everywhere face and illustrate the importance of communication and solid relationships. 

“Sleepovers” prompts a positive discussion about all girls today growing up in a world with pressures from the media, from friends and family and from themselves. The film seeks to empower girls to find their place in the world without being distracted and diminished by such pressures. “Sleepovers” builds on what many girls like to do best: get together, listen to music, talk and share their deepest thoughts. We can tackle big problems by starting small, with the girls in our own lives. We want them to know they are not alone; they just need the tools to develop strong, meaningful bonds and the understanding that they can overcome their personal challenges by reaching out to others.