I've taught films by many of the women directors mentioned by Julie in her original query. Here are some other american women directors to think about that I didn't see mentioned by other people. Undergraduates were greatly interested in Martha Coolidge's Valley Girl and (especially) Rambling Rose--there's a great laser disc on this film with Coolidge talking about directing. Allison Anders (Gas, Food, Lodging), Leslie Harris (Just Another Girl on the IRT), and Nancy Savoca (especially True Love and Dogfight) also work well--all represent independent filmmakers. Given the topics you mentioned (performance, etc.), you might want to consider female actors who also direct. Dyan Cannon, Lee Grant, Jodie Foster, and Diane Keaton are obvious choices. Undergraduates, of course, were particular interested in Barbra Streisand when I talked about her as icon and director. As you know, she shoved William Wyler around on Funny Girl so that no matter what else you may think, as you view the film you know that you are witnessing of a star being born. It's interesting to compare that film with Yentl or to examine how she views men in The Prince of Tides or The Mirror Has Two Faces. With the male directors you list, there are films directed by them that you could compare with films on similar topics or involved with similar genres directed by women. Such enables students to make discoveries on their own in immediate ways. Hope some of these thoughts help. Fred ------------------------------- Fredric M. Wild Communication Dept. Lycoming College [log in to unmask] 717-321-4280 (to leave messages) ---- To sign off SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]