World Wise

In 1998, Israeli beauty queen Linor Abargil was crowned Miss World — but just six weeks earlier, she had been abducted, stabbed and raped. Using her newfound fame as a global platform, Abargil became an advocate for victims of sexual violence. Her story is explored in the 2013 documentary Brave Miss World, which is being screened today as a fundraiser for SlutWalk Denver, an organization very much in line with Abargil’s ongoing mission.

“The documentary ultimately talks about rape culture, and it really fits with our philosophy of anti-slut-shaming, anti-victim-blaming and anti-body-policing,” says Darcy Strayer, outreach coordinator for SlutWalk Denver. The local SlutWalk march began in 2011; that year, many cities across the world organized similar events to protest a situation in Toronto where women were being blamed for their own assaults by local police.

Today’s benefit screening is meant to bolster awareness of sex-assault victims and to raise money for the 2014 edition of SlutWalk Denver, which is planned for July. Brave Miss World screens today at 2 p.m. at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street. There will be a talk-back session with Strayer and other organizers following the film. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $10 if you share the event on your Facebook page. For more information, visit facebook.com/bravemissworlddoc.

Sun., April 6, 2 p.m., 2014