Fantastic Female Filmmakers

by Suzanne Simoni

Women have been writing, producing, and directing movies since filmmaking began in the early 1900s. They've tamed wild animals, hung out the open door of a plane to film, and faced rioting mobs on a set. Faced with incredible challenges, including having to break through the gender barrier, women directors have done amazing things in the world of film.

Genres: Film

122 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Terry]

This is a fascinating look at the lives of ten female filmmakers. I loved that it spanned the globe and helped you see that there is more to movies than what Hollywood portrays.

See our full review at the Reading Tub.

[Jennifer Wardrip]

Reviewed by Cat for TeensReadToo.com

Throughout history, women have struggled to make their way in a world where wealth and power is often dominated by men. As Suzanne Simoni details the lives and careers of ten filmmakers, it's clear the film industry is no exception. Even in this, the twenty-first century, less than fifteen percent of directors (in and outside of Hollywood) are female.

FANTASTIC FEMALE FILMMAKERS isn't about bemoaning one's fate, though. Rather, it is a testament to the strength, determination, and not to mention creative and technical advancements that women have made in movie-making over the last one hundred years; a template for incoming and future generations; and an inspiration for following one's own instincts.

Starting with the first female director/producer/writer/actress, Nell Shipman, Simoni highlights a wide array of influential women from across the world. Among Ms. Simoni's subjects are Berlin-born Margarethe von Trotta, who aims to create thought-provoking films about women's internal conflicts; Mira Nair, who went against conventional Indian tastes by filming street scenes in Bombay; and Euzhan Palcy, the first filmmaker (male or female) to create a picture depicting the lives of black people on the French-speaking island of Martinique.

FANTASTIC FEMALE FILMMAKERS is an entertaining and informative primer on women and movie-making. This is a fantastic book for the aspiring filmmaker, or anyone who just wants to know a bit more about the history of celluloid.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

From Canadian Nell Shipman, who produced films and trained animals in the 1910s and 1920s, to director Martha Coolidge, the first female president of the Director’s Guild of America, to Academy- Award nominee Deepa Mehta, who writes, directs and produces her own films, Fantastic Female Filmmakers is jam-packed with information on 10 well-respected female filmmakers. This book covers every facet of the lives of these women including their personal relationships, career mistakes and successes, their views on the filmmaking process and advice to aspiring filmmakers. Readers will learn about the time Deepa Mehta hung up on George Lucus because she thought someone was playing a joke on her; Anne Wheeler’s indispensable advice to all would-be directors that they have experience in the editing room; and why Mira Nair turned down the opportunity to direct the fifth Harry Potter movie. The book also includes information on each woman’s experiences as a female in Hollywood, as well as the independent movie scene. Written in clear, simple language and peppered with quotations from each filmmaker, this book is the perfect inspiration for young filmmakers, as well as readers who simply want a behind-the scenes look at the film industry.

Reviewed by Naseem Hrab in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2008 VOL.31. NO.2