The Library of Congress maintains the National Film Registry to honor "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" that are at least 10 years old at the time of their inclusion in the Registry. The selected films are "works of enduring significance to American culture."
Selection also brings the resources of the Library of Congress to find "missing" films and encourages their preservation and exhibition.
Women in Film & Video continues its multi-year project to have more women-made films included in the National Film Registry and is currently seeking suggestions for the 2010 nominations. Although women have been involved with movies since the camera was invented, their work is severely underrepresented in this national collection. (I know, you are surprised!) WIFV has nominated the following films to the National Film Registry:
1) The Big House (1930) written by Frances Marion;
2) The Painted Truck (1972) directed/produced by Judith Dwan Hallet and Stanley Hallet;
3) A League of Their Own (1992) directed by Penny Marshall;
4) Eve’s Bayou (1997) written/directed by Kasi Lemmons.
Why should the National Preservation Board choose these films?
Frances Marion was the first woman to win an Oscar® for an original screenplay. She is the only screenwriter to win back-to-back Oscars. In more than 80 years of Oscar awards, only 14 women have won for original screenplay. Frances Marion remains one of the most prolific screenwriters in the industry and her scenarios and screenplays launched and reinvigorated many careers. The Big House is considered by film historians to be a groundbreaking film in script, style and genre. WIFV has nominated this film before.
The Painted Truck is a documentary directed and produced by WIFV member Judith Dwan Hallet and Stanley Hallet. Shot on location in Afghanistan, the film tells the story of the hierarchy and economy of Afghan trade drivers as they travel in an elaborately painted truck. It is an important documentary as it presents a largely-vanished culture. This is the first time WIFV has nominated Hallet’s film to the National Registry.
A League of Their Own presented a little-known segment of sports history to a general movie-going audience. Since its release, the National Baseball Hall of Fame has recognized the real women depicted in the film. Its box office success and cultural significance are undoubtedly a credit to Marshall’s direction and the largely female ensemble. This is second time WIFV is nominating this film.
Eve’s Bayou is a powerfully written and directed film that reveals the complexities of family relations and the consequences of individual action. Lemmons’ writing creates an affecting story while her direction turned the film into an intricate masterpiece exploring what we “know”. The film was Lemmons directorial debut. This is the first time WIFV has nominated Eve’s Bayou to the National Registry.
Nominations are reviewed by the National Film Registry Board and they are influenced by public support. Do your part by supporting these films with an email to the Library of Congress that you can send from here. We will also have postcards at upcoming WIFV events that we will get to the Library of Congress. Vote by October 25!If you want to support an individual film or suggest other films for consideration contact Melissa Houghton at director@wifv.org or by calling 202-429-9438. You can also send your suggestions directly to:
National Film Preservation Board
Library of Congress National A/V Conservation Center, Packard Campus
19053 Mt. Pony Road
Culpeper, VA 22701-7551
Attn: Steve Leggett, Staff Coordinator
Email: sleg@loc.gov |
