A pioneer in the American Independent Film world, Bette Gordon is best known for her bold explorations of themes related to sexuality. Her early short films, most notably Empty Suitcases, won numerous awards and Festival acclaim worldwide, including showings at the Berlin International Film Festival, New York’s Museum of Modern Art and The Whitney Biennial. Variety (1984) marked her debut as a feature film director, particularly in light of the film’s invitational showing at The Cannes Film Festival’s Director’s Fortnight.
Gordon holds a BA, MA, and MFA from The University of Wisconsin – Madison and is now a part of the film department of Columbia University School of the Arts. Some of her films are now a part of permanent collections in several different museums including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Programme:
– Michigan Avenue (1974), 16mm, color, sound, 6 min. (with James Benning) – I-94 (1974), 16mm, color, sound, 3 min. (with James Benning) – United States of America (1975), 16mm, color, sound, 27 min. (with James Benning)
– Empty Suitcases (1980), 16mm, b&w, sound, 48 min.
Screening format: HD
Special thanks to Bette Gordon, The Film-Makers’ Cooperative, Anthology Film Archives, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and The Women’s Film Preservation Fund.
Cineinfinito #156: Bette Gordon (I)Cineinfinito #157: Bette Gordon (II)
