Exciting New Releases: Books by Innovative Women Filmmakers, De Palma’s Latest Work
As we journey through the year 2025, it becomes evident that several remarkable books are poised to stand out as some of the year’s most influential releases. Moreover, a detailed overview of new and recent novels, along with an array of 4K and Blu-ray treasures, awaits us in this latest column. Let’s delve into a captivating and enlightening discussion on female filmmakers.
Marya E. Gates, a renowned critic and writer recognized for her “Female Filmmakers in Focus” column on RogerEbert.com, has masterfully crafted Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words for Rizzoli. Within this visually stunning text, Gates lovingly delves into the realms of female filmmakers. She pays homage to cinema titans such as Varda, Lupino, and Akerman, whose groundbreaking work has paved the way for contemporary filmmakers. While Gates briefly mentions renowned figures like Coppola and Gerwig, her focus predominantly centers on highlighting lesser-known but equally significant directors. Through insightful interviews with directors like Jane Campion and Miranda July, Gates sheds light on Allison Anders, Lizzie Borden, Julie Dash, Mary Lambert, and Isabel Sandoval, among others. Notably, Katt Shea reflects on the prevalent “outsider” theme ubiquitous in her films—a sentiment that resonates across many of the films featured in Cinema Her Way.
Nathan Réra’s tome, Casualties of War: An Investigation, provides an exhaustive exploration of a single film unmatched in depth and scope. Réra meticulously traces the origins, production process, and enduring impact of the film from its inception to its aftermath. The narrative unfurls from the real incidents in Vietnam, as recounted by journalist Daniel Lang in The New Yorker, to its adaptation attempts by Fred Zinnemann and Elia Kazan, culminating in Brian De Palma’s poignant exploration. Réra aptly describes the film as more than a mere cinematic adaptation, serving as a poignant intersection where memories and perspectives converge, inviting audiences to reevaluate its profound emotional depth.
James Miller’s The Passion of Pedro Almodóvar offers an insightful examination of the prolific filmmaker’s illustrious career. As we reflect on the profound insights garnered from Miller’s work, particularly in light of Almodóvar’s recent film, The Room Next Door, we find ourselves immersed in a critical exploration of seven key entries in Almodóvar’s filmography. Miller delves into films like Volver and Bad Education, along with Almodóvar’s early work like Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the auteur’s cinematic evolution. Miller’s contemplation of Pain and Glory, in light of the Spanish cultural revolution, serves as a poignant reckoning with the filmmaker’s legacy and the societal impacts of his work.
Scout Tafoya’s insightful narrative, The Black Book: An Anthony Mann Reader, offers a profound appreciation of the director’s nuanced contributions to cinema. Tafoya delves into the work of Anthony Mann, known for classics like Winchester ’73 and El Cid, celebrating a director whose cinematic prowess remains underappreciated in the annals of film history. Tafoya’s exploration delves into Mann’s cinematic language, his unwavering dedication, and the dichotomy of his professional acclaim and personal struggles—a tribute that sheds light on Mann’s enduring legacy and the importance of recognizing his cinematic achievements.
In closing, the A24’s screenplay book of Celine Song’s Past Lives serves as a testament to the film’s enduring impact and cultural significance. Divided into sections encompassing the screenplay, film stills, critical essays, and a conversation between Song and Andrew H. Miller, this deluxe edition immerses readers in the artistic merit and thematic depth of Song’s work. As we eagerly anticipate Song’s upcoming film, Materialists, this release serves as a fitting tribute to a visionary filmmaker and the transformative power of cinema.