Kathryn Bigelow is making history with “The Hurt Locker” again. In 2010 she became the first — and remains the only — woman to win Best Director at the Oscars for the Iraq war drama, which the Library of Congress just announced made the cut for the National Film Registry. Deadline reports that “a record number of films directed by women” are being added to the preservation catalog this year.
Of 25 films submitted, we count 10 directed or co-directed by women. Among the titles joining “The Hurt Locker” are Kathleen Collins’ “Losing Ground” and Ida May Park’s “Bread.” The former is a portrait of a philosophy professor’s quest to understand ecstasy, and the latter tells the story of a woman trying to escape poverty.
“With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
Check out all of the titles helmed by women below.
“Suspense” (1913) – Co-directed by Lois Weber
“Bread” (1918) – Directed by Ida May Park
“With Car and Camera Around the World” (1929) – Co-directed by Aloha Wanderwell
“Outrage” (1950) – Directed by Ida Lupino
“Losing Ground” (1982) – Directed by Kathleen Collins
“Illusions” (1982) – Directed by Julie Dash
“The Devil Never Sleeps” (1994) – Directed by Lourdes Portillo
“Shrek” (2001) – Co-directed by Vicky Jenson
“Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege” (2006) – Co-directed by Joan Lander
“The Hurt Locker” (2008) – Directed by Kathryn Bigelow