Ishtar Films || Video Catalog: Films on Women Writers and Artists

Films on Women Writers and Artists

TITLES: Berenice Abbott: A View of the 20th Century > Madeleine L'Engle Star * Gazer >
World of Light: A Portrait of May Sarton > May Sarton: A Live Reading > Rima Goodman: A Life In Art

BLUE RIBBON American Film Festival 1993 BRONZE APPLE National Educational Film Festival 1993

A Film By Kay Weaver and Martha Wheelock
57 Minutes / $79 Institution or $20 Home Use / Order DVD Securely


Berenice Abbott photograph of writer James Joyce (1926)

Critics place BERENICE ABBOTT at the head of her class; she was one of the greatest American photographers of the 20th Century. From her portraits of the avant-garde taken in Paris during the 1920's, to her documentation of New York in the 1930's, to her science photogrphy of the '50s, and her studies of small-town America, Abbott's genius is in the incredible range of her work. Filmed during her 91st and 92nd years, the open-hearted Abbott takes us on a guided tour of her century. The tour teaches history, perseverance, courage, and single-minded dedication to one's chosen field. A brilliant film about a brilliant American artist! [ Order DVD Securely ]

National Education Film and Video Festival: BRONZE APPLE

A Video by Martha Wheelock
30 Minutes / $49 Institution or $15 Home Use / Order DVD Securely

"The distinguished writer voices definite opinions on the universe and her own constantly changing beliefs. Ideal for students, book groups, and fans of L'Engle." — BOOKLIST

"Star*Gazer is one of the finer author profile videos available."
— SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

A Portrait of the Award-Winning Author of A WRINKLE IN TIME narrated by Julie Harris.

In this Intmate portrait Madeleine L'Engle interacts with her family and students, preaches at St. John the Divine and shares her philosophy of life and experiences as a writer.
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American Film Festival Finalist

A Film By Martha Wheelock and Marita Giovanni Simpson
30 Minutes / $35 Institution or $12 Home Use / Order DVD Securely

"The portrait of May Sarton is intimate and personal. She speaks freely and passionately about her life as an artist and as a woman. Sarton comes across as a strong-minded courageous person who has lived a rich life."

— HARTFORD COURANT

Enter the world of poet and novelist May Sarton on this one-of-a-kind documentary film - a world of solitude and passion that we are privileged to see and hear first-hand. Filmed with her full cooperation, World of Light is narrated by Sarton herself, offering a complete picture of her life as a woman writer outside the mainstream. World of Light documents May Sarton in the final period of her long career, contemplating her work, her loves, and her influence on other women. In her own words you will hear May Sarton reflect on solitude ("my last great love"), how a writer can persist, the impact and unforeseen popularity of her journals, why she started to write ("to discover my feelings"), and more. [ Order DVD Securely ]

American Film Festival Finalist

A Film By Martha Wheelock and Marita Giovanni Simpson
25 Minutes / $30 Institution or $10 Home Use / Order DVD Securely

This video puts you in the audience of May Sarton's 1987 Poetry Reading in Los Angeles. Sarton reads her new poems and old favorites eloquently and talks openly about herself at this stage of life. [ Order DVD Securely ]

A Film By Martha Wheelock
20 Minutes / $10 Home Use Only / Order DVD Securely

"A marvelously compelling and riveting documentary: honest, totally telling the truth! In twenty minutes I learned so much of this most remarkable woman and in the most direct fashion. Her art, her life both so very beautiful." - Albert Maysles, Documentary Filmmaker, Grey Gardens.

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