Anna Fishbeyn
Anna Fishbeyn is a Russian-American actress, writer, and filmmaker. She has a Ph.D. from Columbia University and is the founder of the production companies XOFeminist Productions and Anteriya Films. Her work often uses satire to explore themes of feminism, motherhood, and the immigrant experience.
Her body of work includes the Off-Broadway play My Stubborn Tongue, the novel The Matrimonial Flirtations of Emma Kaulfield, and the feature film Galaxy 360: A Woman's Playground.
Early life and education
Childhood in the Soviet Union and immigration
Fishbeyn was born in Russia toward the end of the Soviet era. Her family, who are Russian Jews, applied for permission to emigrate, which resulted in a period of surveillance by the KGB. They fled to the United States as political refugees in the early 1980s, eventually settling in Chicago. The family faced challenges, including anti-Russian sentiment in America, and her educated parents had to take less prestigious jobs due to the language barrier.Academic career
Fishbeyn received a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction from The New School.She completed her education with a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Columbia University. Her doctoral dissertation was titled Evil in the Novel and Its Implications for Moral Education. Her academic research, particularly into feminist philosophers like Judith Butler, informed the creation of her first play, Sex in Mommyville.
Theater career
Fishbeyn's return to performing was prompted by a medical emergency during the birth of her son, which she has described as a catalyst for pursuing her artistic ambitions.''Sex in Mommyville''
Her debut play, Sex in Mommyville, is a comedic one-woman show about an artist and mother juggling her career, family, and personal life. Inspired by her own experiences, the play uses humor to address societal pressures on women. It was first performed at New York's The Flea Theater and later at other venues, including La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. A review in Backstage noted her "charm to burn, as well as charisma, intelligence, and a wholesome sexiness" that made the character relatable.''My Stubborn Tongue''
Fishbeyn's second play, My Stubborn Tongue, is an autobiographical solo show about her family's immigration story. In the play, she portrays 17 different characters to explore her journey between Russian-Jewish and American cultures.The play ran Off-Broadway at the New Ohio Theatre in New York around 2014 and later had its London premiere on the West End at the Soho Theatre. A TheaterMania review called it a "funny and charming immigrant's tale" but criticized the production for a lengthy run time and "forced affectation".
Film and television career
Web series and short films
Fishbeyn created the comedic web series Happy Hour Feminism, which used gender-reversal scenarios for satirical purposes. The series was an official selection at numerous film festivals and won several awards.She also wrote, directed, and starred in the short musical film Invisible Alice, about sex trafficking. The film won multiple awards on the festival circuit, including Best Musical at the Action On Film International Film Festival and Best Director at the International Film Festival Milan and the Moscow Independent Film Festival.
Feature film: ''Galaxy 360: A Woman's Playground''
Fishbeyn's feature film debut, Galaxy 360: A Woman's Playground, is a sci-fi comedy she wrote, directed, and starred in. Set in 2195 in a matriarchal society, the film centers on a male beauty pageant. Fishbeyn plays Illumina, the host of the pageant.The film screened at festivals including the Cannes Film Festival and was a finalist at the Sundance New Frontier Exhibition. A review in Movie Marker described Fishbeyn as a "welcome talent" with "ferocious passion" but found the film "a tad too long".