Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct

“Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct” shares the experience of four diverse female directors, including the obstacles they overcame, what motivates them, and what their idea of the optimal working environment is.

This in-depth documentary exposes and explores the challenges faced by directors Lesli Linka Glatter (HOMELAND, THE BANKERS WIFE), Sarah Gavron ("Suffragette," "Rocks"), Li Lu ("There Is a New World Somewhere," "A Town Called Victoria"), and Naima Ramos Chapman ("And Nothing Happened," "Random Acts of Flyness").

They provide a mix of honest, direct, and optimistic perspectives into what it takes to become a director, and what it will take to ensure more women are given the opportunity to work at the highest levels of the film industry.

Bolstered by additional insights provided by Hollywood directors, the film shows how collaboration, rather than oppression, can incentivize all genders to connect across our shared human experience.

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Cady McClain meme "I'm an honest optimist, so I will tell you, it's going to be a continued battle, a continued effort. Groups need to come together to support one another to keep making the push and making the change happen. But the change is happening."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Cady McClain quote: "my goal is to make these women, through this film, available to other women so they can have the encouragement, the support and the insights they need to not feel alone floating out there in the world trying to do what they want against such incredible odds."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Penny Marshall quote: "Do whatever you can that doesn't compromise your morals."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Quote by Director Reema Dutt: "If you want to pursue anything you have to persevere."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Quote by Director Lesli Linka Glatter: "I don't need to be the smartest person in the room, but I want to be in the room with the smartest people."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Quote by Director Sarah Gavron: "I think there is such a thing as the female lens..."

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Directors Cady McClain and Katharine Emmer

Courtesy of Amanda Quinn Olivar

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Director Cady McClain and actress Lee Grant

Courtesy of Amanda Quinn Olivar

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Director Cady McClain DP Leah Anova and filmmaker John Wells

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Director Cady McClain, DP Leah Anova and Director Reema Dutt

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Director Naima Ramos Chapman

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Director Cady McClain in action.

Courtesy of Alex Di Suvero

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Actress Finola Hughes

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Director Lesli Linka Glatter and filmmaker David Lynch

Courtesy of Lesli Linka Glatter Collection

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Director Naima Ramos Chapman and filmmaker Terrence Nance (left)

Courtesy of Hana Sackler

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Director Reema Dutt in action

Courtesy of Luminous Studios

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Filmmaker Li Lu

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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Director Lesli Linka Glatter

Courtesy of Cady McClain

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"Seeing is Believing: Women Direct" is on Facebook and Instagram.

Credits:

Director: Cady McClain. Acquired by American Public Television from Jenny Hayden Media Licensing & Marketing for syndication to public television stations nationwide.