Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words

by Marya E. Gates, Alex Kittle (illustrator)

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

With an expertise in silent film, film noir, and female directors, Marya E. Gates is a freelance film writer and critic based in Chicago. She has a BA in Comparative Literature and an MFA in film production. Before turning to writing full-time, she worked in social media marketing and editorial in the film industry. Her work has appeared in various film publications including Vulture, Indiewire, and Emmy Mag. She writes a monthly interview column for RogerEbert.com called "Female Filmmakers in Focus.”

Reviews

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always in the support of raising and uplifting movies directed by women so the premise of this book is very appealing. I like the book’s layout and coffee table book style. Unfortunately I found some of the interviews a bit boring and repetitive. I also wished there had been more diversity in the book. Out of the 19 women directors featured only 6 are BIPOC, fewer who identify as LGBTQIA+. Not to mention that the films are very Western centric too. Despite these issues I did add some movies to my watchlist.

[John Schorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a valuable showcase for a host of female filmmakers who deserve attention from anyone who loves movies. What comes across with great clarity is their love for film and collaboration, along with a generosity of spirit toward the women who preceded them, as well as their contemporaries. Judging by the lengthy list contained in the back, there are enough women out there to fill more volumes of this book. Such work would be very welcome.

[Nivedita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marya E. Gates' Tumblr oldfilmsflicker was probably the first film blog I ever followed, and was a really foundational space for my interest in movies and movie history. I remember following along when she blogged the A Year with Women project! For those reasons it felt so special to read this book, which is so fascinating and dense and valuable. I can see myself returning to it often.

[Katherine Lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. Gates is a true film historian, and the interviews and incredible photographs in this book capture a critical time in modern American cinema. As someone who is trying to watch more female directed movies, this book is helping me on my journey!

[John Bleasdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of interviews

[Lewistron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wish it had the likes of other more known female directors.

[Amy Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fascinating and comprehensive

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now follow Marya on Letterboxd and I see that she gave 3.5 stars to American Pie 2. She's so real for that.