Time to brush up on your film herstory. Flicker Alley and Blackhawk Films has announced the release of “Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology,” a collection of restored films from trailblazing female directors of the early 20th century. The anthology will be available in a Blu-ray/DVD dual format.
“More women worked in film during [the medium’s] first two decades than at any time since,” the anthology’s press release explains. “Unfortunately, many early women filmmakers have been largely written out of film history, their contributions undervalued.” In order to provide early women directors the recognition they deserve, Flicker Alley and Blackhawk put together 25 films — spanning from 1902 to 1943 — from 14 female helmers.
“These women were technically and stylistically innovative, pushing the boundaries of narrative, aesthetics, and genre,” the release emphasizes. As such, the anthology is comprised of shorts, features, animation, commercial narratives, and experimental projects. Many of the films included have not seen a wide release before.
Works from Dorothy Arzner (“Dance, Girl, Dance”), Alice Guy Blaché (“Les Chiens Savants”), Lois Weber (“Suspense”), and Mabel Normand (“Mabel’s Strange Predicament”) are among the films selected for “Early Women Filmmakers.” The collection is scored to new music from Tamar Muskal, Judith Rosenberg, and more.
“Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology” will be released May 9. Click here for more information or to buy the Blu-ray/DVD combo. You can check out the collection’s trailer below.
