ABSTRACT

Black women film and video makers have been producing shorts, documentaries and films since the early part of this century. Unfortunately, not only has their work been overlooked by distributors, but critical reviews have been few and far between. Conceived to redress that omission, Black Women Film and Video Artists is the first comprehensive history and analysis of this genre. Gathered here are noted scholars and critics, as well as the film/video makers themselves who offer insight into the work of underexplored artists. The discussions range from pioneering to contemporary film makers and include artists such as Madeline Anderson, Monica Freeman, Jacqueline Shearer, Kathleen Collins, Julie Dash, Camille Billops, Zeinabu irene Davis, and Michelle Parkerson, among others. Contributors include: Jacqueline Bobo, Carmen Coustaut, Gloria J. Gibson, C.A. Griffith, Monique Guillory, Carol Munday Lawrence, O. Funmilayo Makarah, Ntongela Maselila, Jacqueline Shearer, P. Jane Splawn.

part One|89 pages

C ritical Perspectives

chapter One|17 pages

Black Women's Films

Genesis of a Tradition

chapter Three|24 pages

The Ties That Bind

Cinematic Representations by Black Women Filmmakers

part two|83 pages

Critical Practice

chapter Five|16 pages

Carol Munday Lawrence

Producer, Director, Writer

chapter Six|15 pages

How Deep, How Wide?

Perspectives on the Making of The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry

chapter Seven|13 pages

Fired-Up!

chapter Eight|13 pages

Love on My Eight Mind

Creating black women's love stories

chapter Nine|21 pages

Below the Line

(Re)Calibrating the Filmic Gaze

part three|32 pages

In Their Own Words

chapter Ten|12 pages

Michelle Parkerson

A Visionary Risk Taker

chapter Eleven|18 pages

An Intimate Talk with Ntozake Shange

An Intererview