Honor International Women's Day with Films by Women!

"Daughters of the Dust" the first feature film by an African American woman director
to receive a theatrical release in the US.

Happy International Women's Day from director, Linda Kruse of KRUSING AMERICA and The Women in Hollywood team. In honor of the occasion, the Women in Hollywood team has highlighted some of their favorite movies by and about women. They've compiled a wide-ranging list of recommendations featuring influential films from various genres and decades and I wanted to share with you. Whether you're seeking a doc, biopic or drama, they've got you covered. Read more below…

"Daughters of the Dust" - Written and Directed by Julie Dash

"Daughters of the Dust" is the first feature film from by an African American woman director to receive a theatrical release in the United States. The 1991 film follows three generations of Gullah women, a community of descendants of slaves in South Carolina, isolated unto themselves in a way of life uniquely made up of West African and American traditions. The dramatic costumes and landscapes elucidate this family of women as they work through conflicts with each other and themselves while maintaining connections to the past. Nana (Cora Lee Day) is the matriarch of the family and the heart of its connection to tradition and the beliefs of the ancestors who came before them, but Haagar (Kaycee Moore), Yellow Mary (Barbara O), Viola (Cheryl Lynn Bruce) and Eula (Alva Rogers) each must navigate issues that propel them into the future, such as angst, sexuality, religion and unplanned pregnancy. "Daughters of the Dust" was added to the The Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2004.

See more the entire list by and about women at:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood

LINDA KRUSE honored as CinéWomen top 7 Directors!

In these pages you will encounter details on the new wave of filmmakers and video artist marching away from the Hollywood stereotype, with films like Customer Service by Aimee Graham; the visionary world of Karen Lima; Krusing America, an astonishing documentary by the talented Linda Kruse: the black atmospheres of Baby Sharks by Agathe Jobert and much more.

For the direct link to the article on Linda Kruse and KRUSING AMERICA visit
http://issuu.com/wacconnect/docs/cin_wom_iss015_cinema_art_dance_ecfc177e1fca6a/74

CinéWomen Magazine highlights 7 female filmmakers including "KRUSING AMERICA – an astonishing documentary by the talented Linda Kruse"

Building on the success of the fifth addition, CinéWomen continues showcasing video practice from around the world. As the ultimate mirror – medium of our times, video is all about us. Despite the proliferation of the mainstream cinema, independent films continue to be made – radical, poetic and dreamlike films, who's directors work on the edge of the mainstream film industry, never restricting them self to any single field, yet inventing the eye and the mind to travel further. Cinema is no longer the monolithic system based on large capital investment: in the last decade the technical advances have dramatically change the economic conditions of cinema production. Revolutions arrive from obstinacy.

It is not by chance that today one of the protagonist of the digital revolution in cinema is a talented and courageous woman director, Ellie Schnieder, co-founder along with Joe Rubinstein of the digital Bolex Project, who after developing a cult-camera harking back to 16mm film aesthetic – a significant towards the demonstration of technology – is now promoting and an application process for a grant for producers employing women in their camera troupes. Only 8% of 2014 top-grossing films were directed by women: it's time to reverse this trend.

However, cinema is not only technology, but ideas, experimentation, and above all dialogue, networking, interaction. Creating and supporting a fertile ground for innovation and dialogue does not necessarily require compromise. Honoring the influence of women in video art and cinema, our womenartconnect.com editorial board is proud to present a selection of powerful and surreal visions from nine uncompromising outsiders. 

In these pages you will encounter details on the new wave of filmmakers and video artist marching away from the Hollywood stereotype, with films like Customer Service by Aimee Graham; the visionary world of Karen Lima; Krusing America, an astonishing documentary by the talented Linda Kruse: the black atmospheres of Baby Sharks by Agathe Jobert and much more.

CineWomen Board

For the direct link to the article on Linda Kruse and KRUSING AMERICA visit
http://issuu.com/wacconnect/docs/cin_wom_iss015_cinema_art_dance_ecfc177e1fca6a/74

Official link to the entire CinéWomen Magazine
http://issuu.com/wacconnect/docs/cin_wom_iss015_cinema_art_dance_ecfc177e1fca6a

Wednesday Women: Effie Brown - The Real Star of PROJECT GREENLIGHT

For the uninitiated, "Project Greenlight" is a contest led by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in partnership with HBO to give a novice filmmaker the opportunity to make a movie. Then they film the making of the movie, and that becomes the docu/reality series. 

The decision-making team is at least four men and two women. The women are Jennifer Todd, who runs Matt and Ben's production company, and Effie Brown, who was hired to produce the movie the winning director makes.) Brown is a successful independent producer with 17 films under her belt. Her partner is Marc Joubert, a well-intentioned problem-solver who pretty much lets her handle anything hard.

Effie Brown on "Project Greenlight"

The thing that we all have learned from these six episodes is that the real star of "Project Greenlight" is Effie Brown. To see a strong African American woman say to all the people on the movie set that she does not make movies where all the main characters and extras are white and the only people of color are the staff was one of the most important moments of the series. And you know what? She did it. She showed what standing by your beliefs and convictions can do, and the example that you set is one of your most important legacies. Effie's star is just going up and up from this.

Excerpts from By Melissa Silverstein | Women and Hollywood 

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We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

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Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

Wednesday Women: Taking on Hollywood / Producer Nicki Hattingh discusses "Miss You Already," developing roles for women.

A still from Missing You Already, starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette

The owner of a film production company has been busy making her mark on Hollywood following the release of her latest movie.

Nicki Hattingh, who lives in Banbury and divides her time between working from home and her London office, founded New Sparta Films with her business partner and financial backer Jerome Booth in June 2013.

Together with a team of five others, they have taken six films into development for in-house production as well as financing four feature films.

These include Miss You Already, which hit cinema screens in the UK late last month with Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore starring in the title roles.

It premiered at Toronto’s International Film Festival in September and was an instant box office hit in its opening week here, taking £900,000.

With a female director, writer, financier and cast at the helm, Miss You Already is unashamedly a film made by women for women - and this is a subject Nicki feels particularly passionate about.

Speaking to the Banbury Guardian, she said: “Unfortunately it is still tough, even in this day and age, to be taken seriously as a woman in the film industry. I often receive email requests for meetings, which are addressed to Mr Hattingh. The frustrating assumption is that someone in my position must be a man.

“Women are 51 per cent of the world, we buy more than half the cinema tickets and we need more female centric stories on our screens for the female audiences. It’s a real shame there are so few Oscar and BAFTA-nominated films with female protagonists.”

Nicki stresses that hard work and determination have been key to her success and is now looking forward to the release of two further films in 2016. “The personal and professional rewards of seeing your story come to life on the screen are incredibly high,” she added.

By Laura Davenport 

http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/what-s-on/local-listings/taking-on-hollywood-1-7008643

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We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Women on Wednesday: Turner Classic Movies & Women in Film – Programming Celebrating Female Directors!

"Middle of Nowhere" 

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has announced a multi-year initiative with Women in Film (WIF), Los Angeles, called Trailblazing Women. The partnership will serve to highlight women's historical contributions to cinema and promote gender parity behind the camera.

A month-long programming event hosted by actress, producer and director Illeana Douglas ("She's Funny That Way," "Six Feet Under") will kick off on October 1 with female-helmed films and discussions with women in the film industry set to air every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month. Make sure your kitchen is well-stocked with popcorn: the programming begins at 8pm and goes late into the night, with films starting as late (or as early) as 5am. (We suggest celebrating the occasion by organizing sleepovers with fellow film lovers!)

Screenings in the 2015 programming slate, "Trailblazing Women: Behind the Camera, Ahead of Their Time," will feature pioneering films dating from the early 1900s, such as Frances Marion's "The Love Light," all the way to contemporary classics like Ava DuVernay's "Middle of Nowhere" and Sarah Polley and Sofia Coppola's respective directorial debuts, "Away from Her" and "The Virgin Suicides."

Douglas will be joined by co-hosts for the themed nights, which include "Essential Documentaries" (co-hosted by Connie Field, director of "The Life and Times Of Rosie The Riveter"), "African American Independents" (co-hosted by Julie Dash, writer-director of "The Rosa Parks Story") and "The 1980s: A Step Forward" (co-hosted by "Clueless" scribe and helmer Amy Heckerling).

"The Trailblazing Women initiative allows us to take a deeper look at the role of women in our industry, shine a light on this timely and important topic and provide insight and resources to inspire more women filmmakers," said Jennifer Dorian, general manager of TCM. "We’re thrilled to be able to bring our audience this extensive programming event and provide tremendous insight about the contributions of female filmmakers."

"There are tremendous growth opportunities for women working behind the camera, and by shining a spotlight on these talented Trailblazing Women, we hope to inspire change," added Kirsten Schaffer, WIF Executive Director. "We commend TCM for their leadership in supporting gender parity for female filmmakers, and we are proud to partner with them."

For more information and the complete programming schedule, check out Turner Classic Movies' site for the Trailblazing Women series.

By Laura Berger | Women and Hollywood