By Andrea K. Hammer
To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Artsphoria Movie Reviews and Film Forum is paying homage to the increasing number of talented female film directors. To highlight this series of special features, here are 10 female movie directors who have guided stories from their distinctive viewpoints and paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps:
Eleanor Coppola: Making her first film at a later age, the wife of Francis Ford Coppola and mother of female film director Sophia Coppola told the story of her own adventure in Paris Can Wait. Along with a discussion about her clear vision for this film, the bonus material is notable for Diane Lane’s statement about accepting her role in this film to support Eleanor Coppola’s first filmmaking project.
Mira Nair: As one of Artsphoria’s most admired female film directors, Mira Nair reveals her gift for visual storytelling in The Namesake. With an eye for detail, she describes her process in an outstanding special feature titled “The Anatomy of The Namesake: A Class at Columbia University’s Graduate Film School.”
Ruba Nadda: In bonus material about making Cairo Time, Ruba Nadda describes her mother’s actual experience in Cairo, which informed a pivotal scene with actress Patricia Clarkson. The special feature also includes footage of interactions with residents and their reactions during the filming of Cairo Time.
Marilyn Agrelo: In the award-winning film Mad Hot Ballroom, Marilyn Agrelo follows 4th and 5th graders from 60 schools during 10 weeks as they prepare for ballroom competitions. Tackling this ambitious project, she captures the children’s frustrations and triumphs with candor as they learn about dance–and life.
Adrienne Shelly: Although a memorial feature about the writer/director delivers heart-breaking information, her spirit is preserved in this lively and entertaining film. Along with a creative and artistic presentation of pie making, the generous helping of humor that Adrienne Shelly managed to mix with serious and troubling subjects is an enduring tribute to her talent.
Maria Ripoll: As a comedy with visually exquisite culinary scenes, Tortilla Soup reveals Maria Ripoll’s understanding of three different sisters as they assert their independence. Despite conflicts with their traditional father, this female film director allows their underlying love to simmer with a dash of spice.
Sharon Maguire: In a bonus commentary with Sharon Maguire, viewers learn more about the making of the hilarious comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary. Based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the talented director brings a young woman’s misadventures to life with skill and wit.
Patricia Rozema: Based on Jane Austen’s novel, letters and early journals, Mansfield Park is a clever comedy that Patricia Rozema wrote and directed. In this unique period piece, this female film director presents images of strong and sometimes mischievous women who express their thoughts looking squarely at viewers.
Jane Campion: This award-winning director (The Piano; Best Screenplay) once again shapes Bright Star with her signature style. Special features include commentary from Jane Campion about making the film based on poet John Keats’s relationship with his spirited muse Fanny Brawne.
Nora Ephron: In the entertaining comedy Julie & Julia, writer/director Nora Ephron followed the true story of blogger Julie Powell recording her experiences cooking Julia Child’s recipes for a year. Skillfully bringing both characters to life and seamlessly intertwining their tales, Nora Ephron shared some of her secret ingredients in a special-feature commentary.
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