Refocus: The Films of Susan Seidelman - (Refocus: The American Directors) by Susan Santha Kerns

About the Book

The first scholarly work to focus on the work of American director and producer, Susan Seidelman

Book Synopsis

This first collection devoted to Susan Seidelman -- director, producer and visionary of feminist American cinema and television - includes never-before-published archival material and an interview with insights into her process and thoughts on #timesup and the future of the industry.
Her debut feature, Smithereens, was the first American independent film to compete for the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Her knack for casting saw her insist on Madonna for Desperately Seeking Susan before Madonna was famous. Seidelman directed Meryl Streep and John Malkovich in their first comedy features, Roseanne Barr in her first feature film and Laverne Cox in one of her earliest features. Seidelman also directed the Sex and the City pilot, kickstarting a global phenomenon. Seidelman's career is one of firsts, yet little is written about her. This collection begins filling that gap while opening the door for additional scholarship, making this a valuable text for years to come.

From the Back Cover

Susan Seidelman's career is one of firsts, yet little is written about her. This collection begins filling that gap while opening the door for additional scholarship, making this a valuable text for years to come. As the first volume dedicated entirely to her work, ReFocus: The Films of Susan Seidelman includes never before published archival material and an interview with insights into her process and thoughts on #timesup and the future of the industry. Seidelman's first feature film, Smithereens, was the first American independent film to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. Her talent for casting became an asset to her films since she first insisted on Madonna for Desperately Seeking Susan early in her fame. Seidelman directed Meryl Streep and John Malkovich in their first comedy features, Roseanne Barr in her first feature film and Laverne Cox in one of her earliest features. Susan Santha Kerns is Associate Professor of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.

Review Quotes

This ground breaking collection on the work of under recognized film and television director Susan Seidelman illustrates both difficulties and the potentialities of centralizing women's desires, voices, and perspectives. By looking broadly at Seidelman's oeuvre, this book deftly categorizes and contextualizes the contributions she has made to the feminist media archive.--Suzanne Leonard, Simmons University

About the Author

Susan Santha Kerns is Associate Professor of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.