Female Filmmakers

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#1 Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:14 am

In an Chicago Tribune interview with Criterion's Kim Henrickson (quoted in at least two other threads on this board), she mentions that there will be more women filmmakers added to the CC in 2005:

Kim Hendrickson wrote:We're always addressing the issues of the library and getting out new filmmakers that we haven't been able to put out before," Hendrickson says. "I feel like 2005 is the introduction of a lot of people to the Criterion library that you haven't seen before... There will be Mizoguchi and a few more women inserted into the collection. But we're driven as much by what the collection is missing and how we're going to address those gaps.

The CC currently has films by Agnes Varda, Catherine Breillat, Liliana Cavani, Margarethe von Trotta (with Volker Schlondorff), Lynne Ramsay, and Muffie Meyer, Susan Froemke, and Ellen Hovde (with Albert and David Maysles). So, let's speculate on what other women filmmakers and what films might be added. Consider this our Equal Opportunity thread.

GringoTex · #2 Post by **GringoTex** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:25 am

matt wrote: So, let's speculate on what women filmmakers and what films might be added. Consider this our Equal Opportunity thread.

Chantal Akerman: Jeanne Dielman and D'est

Jane Campion: An Angel at My Table

Buttery Jeb · #3 Post by **Buttery Jeb** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:40 am

If there exists a just and caring god (of whatever denomination you pick), we'll finally see Riefenstahl's "Olympia I & II."

-BJ

cbernard · #4 Post by **cbernard** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:41 am

Leni Riefenstahl
Barbara Streisand

Michael Kerpan · #5 Post by **Michael Kerpan** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:51 am

Anything directed by Kinuyo Tanaka. All of her films were apparently good, but she supposedly grew from film to film.

Here's a review of her second film, "The Moon Has Risen":

http://www.timeout.com/film/review.php?id=73479

and an article that discusses her directing career (as well as her work as an actress):

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... 41128/pg_1

The work of Naomi Kawase, who has made some fine feature films (I've seen "Suzaku" and "Shara" -- both very fine) and interesting (by report) documentaries.

MEK

#6 Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:54 am

I'm 99.9% sure they would never do this, but they could release a nice Dorothy Arzner disc. They could even include the Pepsi commercials she made at Joan Crawford's request.

I think they're more likely to release something by Lina Wertmuller. Or possibly Marleen Gorris, Agnieszka Holland, or Chantel Akerman. Jane Campion is already assured via An Angel at My Table. They also might be hinting at Leni Riefenstahl. Gillian Armstrong would be nice, too.

Of course, the dark side of all of this is that they could release something by a lady hack like Penelope Spheeris, Mimi Leder, or Betty Thomas, but I'm pulling for Penny Marshall.

Maybe they'll just go nuts and release a Monika Treut film.

Sai · #7 Post by **Sai** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:21 am

I'd love to see Jeanne Dielman, but I don't think it's very likely. Perhaps they can release Antonia's Line. It's most likely very cheap, it's relatively unknown, it's very women-oriented and it's won an Oscar. Why not?

Buttery Jeb · #8 Post by **Buttery Jeb** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:32 am

Say what you will about Penelope Spheeris' work over the last few years, but I'd drop cash for a three or four disc Criterion "Decline of Western Civilization" boxset in a heartbeat. It's a shame that Columbia (I think) has the rights all tied up.

-BJ

J M Powell · #9 Post by **J M Powell** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:47 am

Unlikely, but maybe: Trinh Minh-ha?

Eric · #10 Post by **Eric** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:51 am

Barbara Hammer
Barbara Kopple

#11 Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:58 am

Unfortunately, I think there is just as much likelihood of Criterion releasing anything by Trinh Minh-ha or Barbara Hammer as there is of them releasing something by Penny Marshall. They're at the extreme ends of the mainstream spectrum, whereas Criterion likes to plop themselves squarely in the middle (with the occasional foray into the inner reaches of each end).

I'll tell you what, though. A Criterion release of Surname Viet, Given Name Nam or A Tale of Love would be fucking awesome.

Sai · #12 Post by **Sai** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:59 pm

How about something by Mira Nair? Her collaboration on The Battle of Algiers makes it seem likely.

Dr. Mabuse · #13 Post by **Dr. Mabuse** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:05 pm

Sandra Hochman "Year of the Woman" (1973) could be an interesting choice. According to this article, it has been locked up in the vault for 30 odd years. I always felt sympathy for Norman Mailer in this documentary...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0 ... 19,00.html

Cinephrenic · #14 Post by **Cinephrenic** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:22 pm

Jane Champion - An Angel at My Table
Agnes Varda - Le Bonheur
Leni Riefenstahl - Olympia
Diane Kurys - Molotov Cocktail
Lina Wertmuller - Swept Away/Seven Beauties

Fletch F. Fletch · #15 Post by **Fletch F. Fletch** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:25 pm

matt wrote:Of course, the dark side of all of this is that they could release something by a lady hack like Penelope Spheeris, Mimi Leder, or Betty Thomas, but I'm pulling for Penny Marshall.

Ah yes, the Criterion edition of A League of their Own perhaps?

Buttery Jeb · #16 Post by **Buttery Jeb** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:32 pm

Maybe they managed to license "Big" from Fox?

Also, who has the rights to Kurys' "Peppermint Soda"? I know New Yorker did at one point, but I was under the impression they lost them a while back.

-BJ

Cinephrenic · #17 Post by **Cinephrenic** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:48 pm

Maybe they managed to license "Big" from Fox?

I really hope not.

Jun-Dai · #18 Post by **Jun-Dai** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:18 pm

Hmm. No one mentioned Maya Deren.

And yeah, it would be marvelous beyond words if they put out a disc/set of Trinh T. Minh-ha or Sadie Benning.

Anyways, aside from just doing more films by women, I'm pretty excited that Criterion intends to release more films from outside of the mainstream canon.

dfloyd · #19 Post by **dfloyd** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:22 pm

Doris Wishman Box Set

Lino · #20 Post by **Lino** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:35 pm

No chance. This is already out.

Nice thought, though!

jesus the mexican boi · #21 Post by **jesus the mexican boi** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:47 pm

Aside from an Ida Lupino set, this is my choice for great lost film directed by a woman most deserving of the Criterion treatment...

Barbara Loden's WANDA (1971).

http://imdb.com/title/tt0067961/

Ashirg · #22 Post by **Ashirg** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:13 pm

I'm still waiting for Criterion's release of Larisa Shepitko's Ascent (or any release for that matter)...

Zumpano · #23 Post by **Zumpano** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:27 pm

I would also guess Ida Lupino.

How about Elaine May's "A New Leaf"? Do a couple versions of this film exist?

cbernard · #24 Post by **cbernard** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:54 pm

JHunter · #25 Post by **JHunter** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:56 pm

Possibly Samira Makhmalbaf? "The Apple" and "At Five In The Afternoon" still haven't been released in Region 1. It would also give them more Middle Eastern content in the collection.

Jane Campion's "An Angel At My Table" seems to be pretty much a certainty.