Turner Classic Movies is launching a groundbreaking documentary called Women Make Film that showcases the historical work of female filmmakers across the globe, as reported by Variety. The 14-part documentary will run every Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET from September 1st to December 1st.
Women Make Film is a series that’s described as part film study, and part documentary, giving the audience an in-depth look at over 100 influential women directors from across the world. The series delves into the artistry and context of how the films were shaped and made through the perspectives of some of the world’s greatest directors.
It’s not only about filmmakers in North America,” said TCM general manager Pola Changnon via Variety. “It’s about countries where filmmaking reputations aren’t that well-known, especially here. That’s why I love the title of this – Women Make Film. It’s a statement of fact, and even though they’re not always well-represented in the film canon, women have been doing this for decades.
The 14 hour docu-series is directed by Mark Cousins (The First Movie, The Eyes of Orson Welles), and is narrated by Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin), Jane Fonda (Coming Home), Adjoa Andoh (Invictus), Sharmila Tagore (Aradhana), Kerry Fox (Bright Star), Thandie Newton (Westworld) and Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment).
“I felt that we need to talk about [these women] as filmmakers, not victims of a sexist industry or not marginal figures or not curiosities or not symbols of somenting,” Cousins said via Variety. “When you dig into the life story of every one of these filmmakers, they made these movies because they loved cinema, and they wanted to express themselves.”
Alongside Women Make Film, TCM is providing a supplemental 100 films from women across 44 countries, including work by India’s Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!), Kenya’s Wanuri Kahiu (Rafiki) and China’s Shaohong Lee (Stolen Life). The network is also partnering with re:Imagine/ATL to host a contest for burgeoning female filmmakers aged 12-17. Entrants will have a chance at having their narrative or documentary featured on the TCM YouTube page, along with equipment and cash prizes.
For more details you can check out the trailer for the series down below.