Growing Up Female: A Tribute to Julia Reichert

Guests Expected

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Julia Reichert is no longer able to travel to San Francisco and attend this tribute in person. Instead, we plan on conducting a moderated conversation with Reichert via Skype, prior to the screening of the film.

Description

For almost 50 years, Julia Reichert, acclaimed co-director of American Factory (SFFILM Festival 2019), has been examining the social, cultural, and political forces that shape America through her insightful and empathetic documentaries. In 1971, Reichert co-founded New Day Films, the democratically run documentary film distribution cooperative which is still active and thriving. Reichert’s work has earned three Oscar nominations, a Sundance Directing Award, an Emmy, and a Career Achievement Award from the International Documentary Association.

Please join us for this special tribute to her career with a conversation and screening of her first film, Growing Up Female (1971). Cited as the first film of the modern women’s movement and a recent addition to the National Film Registry, Reichert’s debut deftly explores the lives of six girls and women, ages four to 35. By examining the forces that shape them—from family and teachers to advertising and media—the film offers a penetrating view of female socialization, and the many ways cultural influences gender roles.

“I was much moved by this film and its genuine picture of ordinary American women. In its unadorned truthfulness there is a sad and simple poetry, and a lesson about the lives of all of us.” —Elizabeth Hardwick, The New York Review of Books

“From all the films I’ve seen, I mean films which attempt to deal with the question of women in contemporary society, Growing Up Female succeeds best: it tells more, it digs deeper, and it does so in the most interesting way.” —Jonas Mekas, The Village Voice

“A true and piercing look at American womanhood.” —Gloria Steinem

Film Details