Fantastic Female Filmmakers

By Suzanne Simoni

Their names may not be the most famous in Hollywood, but the ten women profiled here are among the most creative and respected directors in the world of film. This book joins the others in the acclaimed Women's Hall of Fame series by presenting ten international women whose stories will inspire young readers to consider their own potential. Included are Nell Shipman, the young Canadian who started her own production company in the silent movie days, Ida Lupino, the American actress who was the first woman to direct herself in a film, Deepa Mehta, who has brought Indian culture to Western screens, and Martha Coolidge and Patricia Rozema, whose films have created some of the most memorable modern female characters.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 189718736X
• ISBN13: 9781897187364
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Second Story Press
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 9 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 8

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

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. Reviewed by: Cat

Women who have been heavily involved in this industry even since the early days of the 1900s

Stephen Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas - the profession of film making seems to be a male dominated one, but there are women out there. "Fantastic Female Filmmakers" is a look at these women, who have been heavily involved in this industry even since the early days of the 1900s. Breaking through the sexist walls holding them back, they have become a major part of the film world and have made some fantastic films. "Fantastic Female Filmmakers" is highly recommended to both collections on film and community library women's studies shelves.