Book Rec: "Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words"

an interview with author Marya E. Gates.

"In revelatory conversations with international filmmakers, film critic and historian Gates shines a light on their career-spanning works. From feminist pioneers and maverick independents to Oscar-winning directors, these filmmakers include Jane Campion, Susan Seidelman, and Mira Nair."

I met Marya E. Gates through Substack and it’s been so lovely getting to know her both as a friend and as a writer through her instructive letters on film and especially the work of female directors. When I found out her book, “Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words” was coming out I immediately had so many questions to ask her and I’m grateful she answered.

Here’s where you can find Marya’s wonderful book. Enjoy this brief interview with her below!

What was the first spark that made you decide to write “Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words”?

Marya E. Gates: The book has been gestating for about ten years. In 2015, I first launched my viewing project A Year With Women, in which I spent the whole year only watching films directed or co-directed by women. It was partially a cleanse because I found myself falling out of love with cinema, and partially a protest because I knew that despite the dismal number of "highest grossing" films directed by women, th…