Pitt Hosts “Women Filmmakers In the 21st Century” Film Series

Since the inception of cinema in the 1890s, commercial filmmaking has seen few women in directorial roles, with the exception of such women as Lois Weber, Dorothy Arzner, and Ida Lupino. However, in recent years, this trend has changed. Pitt will host a film series titled “Women Filmmakers in the 21st Century” April 11-12 and 18-19. Screenings will be held at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall’s 7th-floor Auditorium.

The film series, hosted by Pitt’s Film Studies Program, Department of English, Women’s Studies Program, and School of Arts and Sciences’ Graduate Dean’s Office, will present films by four women. Screenings are free and open to the public.

A list of the screenings follows.

April 11

In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002), 103 minutes, directed by Martina Kudlácek, Austria/Czech Republic/Switzerland/Germany.

In her documentary on American filmmaker Maya Deren, Kudlácek fashions a fascinating portrait on the woman whose creations throughout the 1940s are arguably some of the most important innovations in the history of avant-garde film.

April 12

Chaos (2001), 109 minutes, directed by Coline Serreau, France.

A comedic satirical thriller, Chaos pairs a biting look at the Paris bourgeoisie with the humiliating life of forced prostitution in the city’s criminal underworld.

April 18

Personal Velocity: Three Portraits  (2002), 86 minutes, directed by Rebecca Miller, United States.

Daughter of the playwright Arthur Miller, Rebecca Miller wrote and directed Personal Velocity, which is based on her book Personal Velocity (Grove Press, 2002). The film chronicles the lives of three women seeking to escape their dysfunctional relationships with men.

April 19

In the Cut (2003), directed by Jane Campion, United States/United Kingdom/Australia.
Variety’s Todd McCarthy wrote of In the Cut: “An intensely sexual exploration of the nature of a woman’s desire in the guise of a murder mystery, this high-strung adaptation of Susanna

Moore’s bestselling novel is beautifully crafted and is highlighted by an arresting change-of-pace performance by Meg Ryan as an English teacher erotically awakened by a homicide detective.”

For more information on the film series, contact Jennifer Florian at 412-624-6564.