French-Speaking Women Documentarians is a guide for teachers of French and others interested in selecting and researching the work of female French-speaking documentarians. Represented in this book are filmmakers from Canada, various African nations, the Antilles, Lebanon, Switzerland, Belgium, and several other countries, with emphasis on Agnès Varda of France - arguably the greatest female documentarian of all. The book includes information on each filmmaker, classified by country of origin, and lists and describes her works, giving factual information such as date, duration, credits, and synopses, and pointing out critical treatments, both in English and in French, of her most important films. Shorts, docudramas, and works of animation are also discussed, as they, too, reflect history and culture. This guide will lead to the viewing of films that shed understanding on the culture being portrayed and to a greater appreciation of the contribution of French-speaking women filmmakers to this important, if not always objective, film genre.
«This is a gem of a resource tool for anyone interested in documentary filmmaking by women. It gives a wealth of information not only about well-known figures such as France's Agnès Varda, but also about women from other parts of the Francophone world, making it one of the rare avenues to information about women documentary filmmakers in such places as Rwanda, Tunisia, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, or Lebanon.» (Eloise A. Brière, Associate Professor, State University of New York at Albany)
«A useful comprehensive guide on documentary filmmaking by French-speaking women directors across the Francophone world. An invaluable compilation of data on both well and less known directors and their films, as well as a lively and interesting discussion on the contribution of women's cinema to this genre. An essential tool for research and teaching.» (Dominique Ryon, Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
«A useful comprehensive guide on documentary filmmaking by French-speaking women directors across the Francophone world. An invaluable compilation of data on both well and less known directors and their films, as well as a lively and interesting discussion on the contribution of women's cinema to this genre. An essential tool for research and teaching.» (Dominique Ryon, Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette)