Day: November 27, 2019

Directors, Female Filmmaker, Women in Film

Action Woman: Happy Birthday To Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow is a woman of action. The director, who turns 68 on Nov. 27, is known for training her eye on vampires, cops, surfing bank robbers, and especially soldiers—but she’s not merely after an adrenaline rush. 

Rather, the first—and still only—woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director with 2008’s “The Hurt Locker” is drawn to the circumstances surrounding violence, as well as characters’ choices.

“I don’t like violence. I am very interested, however, in truth. And violence is a fact of our lives, a part of the social context in which we live,” she’s said. Continue reading Action Woman: Happy Birthday To Kathryn Bigelow

Valerie KalfrinLeave a comment
Female Characters, Female Filmmakers, Film Reviews

Review: Ophelia

Despite being one of Shakespeare’s most notable heroines, Ophelia has unfortunately been lost in the heavily male-driven narrative of “Hamlet”. However, Claire McCarthy’s “Ophelia” will give her, and many other neglected female characters, their long-deserved voice. Starring Daisy Ridley as the titular character and Naomi Watts as Queen Gertrude, this film is equally empowering and inspiring.  Continue reading Review: Ophelia

Claire L. Smith2 Comments
Female Filmmaker, Film Reviews, Top 50 of the Decade

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 24: The Rider

“The Rider”, the second feature from writer-director Chloé Zhao, explores this tenet of masculinity through the story of South Dakotan rodeo cowboy Brady Blackburn, played by real-life rodeo cowboy Brady Jandreau. Blackburn’s story mirrors that of Jandreau, both of whom were taken out of the saddle unexpectedly, after sustaining a major injury in a horrific accident. As he recovers, Brady is advised that he can never ride again, or else he could risk losing his life. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 24: The Rider

jmamenn1 Comment