10 Trailblazing Female Film Directors

10 Trailblazing Female Film Directors

By Andrea K. Hammer

With female film directors leaving their mark on the movie industry with increasing frequency, we have followed this trend with great interest. During enlightening bonus material interviews on DVDs, some of these women have provided insights into their roles and sensibilities shaping their signature films.

Here are 10 female directors who have guided stories from their individual 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 drew from her personal experience and adventure in Paris Can Wait. Along with a discussion about the clear vision for this film, the bonus material is notable for actress Diane Lane’s statement about accepting the role to support Eleanor Coppola’s first filmmaking project.

Mira Nair: As one of the 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 tilted “The Anatomy of The Namesake: A Class at Columbia University’s Graduate Film School.”

Ruba Nadda: In a special feature about making Cairo Time, Ruba Nadda recalls real-life inspiration for a pivotal scene with actress Patricia Clarkson. Valuable bonus material also includes footage of the director’s interactions with residents and their reactions during the filming of Cairo Time.

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 period piece, the director presents images of strong and sometimes mischievous women who express their thoughts while looking squarely at viewers.

Jane Campion: As one of the outstanding Oscar-nominated female film directors, Jane Campion shapes Bright Star with signature style. Special DVD features include commentary from this trailblazing movie director about making this film based on poet John Keats’s relationship with his spirited muse Fanny Brawne.

Marilyn Agrelo: In this award-winning movie that features New York City 4th- and 5th-graders preparing for ballroom competitions, Marilyn Agrelo tackled an ambitious project for Mad Hot Ballroom. Following 6,000 children in 60 schools during 10 weeks, this director captures their frustrations and triumphs with candor as they learn about dance–and life.

Adrienne Shelly: The special features on The Waitress DVD, including heart-breaking information, capture the spirit of this talented director. Along with a creative and artistic presentation of pie making, the generous helping of humor that Adrienne Shelly managed to mix with serious subjects is an enduring tribute.

Maria Ripoll: As another comedy-drama with visually exquisite culinary scenes, Tortilla Soup reveals Maria Ripoll’s understanding of three different sisters as they assert their individuality. Despite conflicts with their traditional father, the director allows their underlying love to simmer with a dash of spice.

Sharon Maguire: In a special-feature DVD commentary with director Sharon Maguire, viewers learn more about the making of Bridget Jones’s Diary. Based on the book that the director’s close friend Helen Fielding wrote, the film focuses on seemingly real-life characters with skill and wit.

Nora Ephron: In Julie & Julia, writer/director Nora Ephron followed the true story of blogger Julie Powell, who wrote about daily attempts to cook Julia Child’s recipes for a year. Skillfully bringing both characters to life and seamlessly intertwining their stories, Nora Ephron shared some of her secret ingredients while creating Julie & Julia in a special-feature DVD commentary.

Andrea K. Hammer, founder and director of Artsphoria, is a freelance writer with articles that have appeared in international publications. Learn more and connect: https://linkedin.com/in/andrea-k-hammer