This course examines the work of female directors from around the globe. We will begin with silent-era director Alice Guy Blachè and culminate our study with films from the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival. An exploration of women directors’ work not only allows us to analyze cinematic narrative and style, but also provides a unique perspective on film history. Moreover, course films raise questions about the relationship between an individual filmmaker’s work and larger cinematic traditions or cultural contexts. Throughout the term, we will address the following questions:

o What, if anything, distinguishes the work of women directors?
o How does an investigation of women directors change our conception of film history?
o How does feminist film criticism help us to interpret films made by women? What challenges do particular directors pose to critics?
o How do historical, cultural, and industrial factors shape the work of women directors?
o How do films made by women engage local ideologies of gender, race, class, and sexuality?

The first part of the course investigates how women directors rework “the woman’s film." The second focuses on cinematic portrayals of politics, history, and war, and the third examines films that explore identity in the postmodern era.

Books

Bordwell, David and Kristin Thompson. Film Art: An Introduction (9th edition)
Course packet available via Professional Copy 'N Print, 4200 University Way Northeast