I’m amazed by this eye-opening documentary on Alice Guy-Blaché, the first female filmmaker. While that title alone is achievement enough to enter history books, she also pioneered many revolutionary ideas including the creation of dramatic film narrative itself. Battling sexism and knee-jerk opposition at every turn, she managed to rise from a mere secretary to head producer of a giant studio. Her fearless innovating set standards in acting, writing, directing, special effects, editing, sound, and public relations. With boundless enthusiasm and creativity she helped produce over 700 films in under 25 years! It’s tragic that only a handful of her work survives. Even more so that her name is unfamiliar to even the most devout lovers of cinema. Of course not all stories have happy endings, and Alice’s is no exception. Her career and family crumbled at the height of her success, and she drifted into obscurity. Hopefully this absorbing documentary (narrated by her own granddaughter) will help return Alice Guy-Blaché to her proper place in history.

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