From 1945-73, 1.5 million unmarried young American women, facing enormous social pressures, surrendered babies to adoption. Lacking sex education and easy access to birth control, they were forced into hiding while pregnant and then into “abandoning” their infants. In her latest film, Ann Fessler, Professor of Photography at Rhode Island School of Design, reprises the subject of her award-winning The Girls Who Went Away (National Book Critics Circle; Ballard Book Prize), which Ms. readers named an all-time best feminist book.

Drawing on interviews with 100 women, Fessler lets them have their say and brings hidden history to light. We hear only their voices, which detail wrenching experiences against images from vintage newsreel and educational films reinforcing stereotypes of women’s roles following WWII. This gripping documentary will help today’s students grasp what life was like before the sexual and feminist revolutions had fully dawned.

Women Make Movies

Birthmothers -- United States, Adoption -- United States -- Psychological aspects, Unmarried mothers -- United States -- History -- 20th century

Fessler, Ann (director), Fessler, Ann (writer), Fessler, Ann (producer), Reid, Mike (composer), Majoros, Mike (editor), Schwab, Jacqueline (composer), Goulden, Dennis (contributor), Women make movies (producer), Women make movies (distributor)

00:47:31 (HH:MM:SS)

English

adult/continuing education, higher education, high school (grades 10-12), college

Name	Women Make Movies
Role	distributor
Telephone	212-925-0606
Address	462 Broadway, STE 500, New York, NY 10013
Email	[email protected]

2013-01-01

This video is protected by copyright. You are free to view it but not download or remix it. Please contact the licensing institution for further information about how you may use this video.

https://54098.surd9.group/show.php?pid=njcore:30522

pid=njcore:30522

njcore:30522

View MARC Record | View Full Record