Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers

Directed by Alice Guy-Blaché, Lois Weber, Helen Holmes, Mabel Normand, Grace Cunard, Dorothy Davenport Reid

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Release Year: 2018
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Genres: Silent, Box Set
$49.99 - Classroom Rights
MSRP: $99.95
$599.00 - With PPR
$699.00 - With DSL
$699.00 - With DSL and PPR
MSRP: $999.00
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In the Wild West days of early filmmaking—before Hollywood hardened into an assembly-line behemoth and boys’ club—talented women worked regularly as writers, producers, and directors, instrumental in shaping the very language of cinema as we know it. Nevertheless, figures like Alice Guy Blaché and Lois Weber are known today primarily by aficionados, and artists like Nell Shipman, Grace Cunard, and Marion E. Wong remain woefully obscure. Bringing together dozens of essential new restorations, this series spotlights the daring, innovative, and trailblazing work of the first female filmmakers and restores their centrality to the creation of cinema itself. – BAMCinematek

Produced in collaboration with the Library of Congress.

Reviews

"A corrective to our collective amnesia. A thrilling look at the variety of films made by women, most before they won the right to vote."

- – Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
 

"Provides a rare opportunity to see some of the greatest films helmed by early Hollywood’s intrepid women... filling in the blanks of the past and reclaiming the medium’s forgotten stories."

- – Christina Newland, Village Voice
 

"One of this year’s most essential archival box sets."

- Noel Murray, LA Times
 

"This is nirvana for keen purchasers ready to immerse themselves in a blossoming new expression started over 100 years ago. To those even remotely interested - Kino's 6 Blu-ray package is strongly recommended!"

- Gary Tooze, DVDBeaver
 

"...an essential piece of film history, and engaging viewing besides."

- Jason Bailey, Flavorwire
 

"Film fans, rejoice! The true history of the motion picture industry just got a bit more complete."

- Marilyn Ferdinand, Alliance of Women Film Journalists
 

"This wonderful box set would make a perfect gift for anyone interested in women in film or in film history."

- Cate Marquis, Alliance of Women Film Journalists
 

"...one of the most important disc sets of 2018, and it's the perfect gift for the serious cinephile."

- Robert Harris, Home Theater Forum
 

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