Thursday, December 17, 2020

Thursday Movie Picks: Films Directed by Women

 

In the 51st week of 2020 for Wandering Through the Shelves' Thursday Movie Picks. We go into films directed by women as women filmmakers have been something a lot of people have been following though not much progress has been made in the industry in their favor. Here are my three picks as they’re all documentary films by women:

1. Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache
For a lot of coverage and in-depth study into the history of film, women have often been overlooked or erased from history yet the rediscovery into the works of Alice Guy-Blache has been a major revelation for cinema. Pamela B. Green’s documentary showcases the woman’s work and how much of a real pioneer she was to cinema in general. Featuring interviews with filmmakers and actors who would discover this woman’s work, it is a major film that allows a great pioneer to not just get her overdue recognition but also allow her work to be seen again.

2. The Go-Go’s
The fact that these women aren’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame all because they didn’t like their first Rolling Stone magazine cover is proof of why the institution is such bullshit and that Jann Wenner is an aging queen who doesn’t know shit about music. Alison Ellwood’s documentary about the band’s career and impact in the early 1980s definitely showcase their importance and contribution to the history of rock music. Five women who all wrote and performed their own songs as they came from the L.A. punk scene yet had a lot more to offer as they rose high and fell hard. All five members talk about their many ups and downs while also proving that they still had something to say.

3. Cameraperson
Kirsten Johnson’s autobiographical documentary about her work as a cinematographer/camera operator has showcasing everything she had seen and filmed for nearly 20 years. Whether it’s working for other filmmakers or shooting things in her home life, Johnson’s film just has this richness in what she films as well as the people and subject matter she covers throughout as it is truly something of its own that a lot of people need to see.

© thevoid99 2020
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6 comments:

  1. Brittani Burnham6:11 PM

    I like that you went with documentaries! I haven't seen any of these, I'll have to look into them.

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  2. ThePunkTheory11:51 PM

    Those are all interesting and great picks. I remember we talked about your first one at University when discussing the beginnings of filmmaking, but I'm especially curious to see The Go Go's!

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  3. Cinematic Delights4:12 AM

    Ah, another post I've read suggesting Be Natural.
    That's outrageous about The Go-Go's and the Rolling Stone cover. Sounds like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are very precious!

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  4. Dell6:03 AM

    Love that you went with all docs, but I haven't seen any of them. I really want to see the one about The Go Go's, though. Is that really why they're not in the Hall of Fame? Sad.

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  5. Birgit4:03 PM

    You are the second person to pick Be Natural and I want to see this. I love the Go-Go's and had no idea about Rolling Stone Magazine. I wish they would get their credit that is due.

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  6. Sonia Cerca8:47 AM

    I haven't seen any of these but I like that you went with three documentaries.

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