Female Directors—Female Strength—Female Gaze




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ClassGraphic This study group will celebrate the work of thirteen female film directors whose storytelling through the eyes of “the female gaze” enhances our appreciation of their work. Our examination of their films from over the past sixty years will lead us to a definition of the female gaze, its key elements and how it shows up in film. Referring to the gaze of the female spectator, character, or director, “the female gaze” represents women as subjects having agency—often challenging the objectifying lens of the "male gaze."  In these director’s works, the women characters are protagonists with complex inner lives. The gaze can be seen from any or all of three viewpoints: 1) The filmmaker’s perspective (often female, but not exclusively); 2) The characters’ interactions within the story; and 3) The audience’s experience, especially female viewers.  We will focus on a group of international directors and both old and new films. We will study via streaming films directed by: Claire Denis, Alice Diop, Debra Granik, Scarlett Johansonn, Ellen Kuras, Hisako Matsui, Anna Muylaert; Lila Neugebauer, Sarah Polley, Célene Sciamma, Celene Song, Agnès Varda, and Chloé Zhao.
 

Class Details

14 Session(s)
Weekly - Mon

Location
TBD

Instructor
Multiple

Tuition: 

$0.00

Email olli@northwestern.edu for more information. Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Skip dates: (No class on 05/25/2026)

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
3/2/2026 - 6/8/2026 Weekly - Mon 01:15 PM - 03:15 PM TBD Laurie Bederow  ; Robert Moss 

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