Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers - Salomé

Directed by Lois Weber, Helen Holmes, Mabel Normand, Grace Cunard, Dorothy Davenport Reid, and Alice Guy-Blaché
Year: 2018

An adaptation of Oscar Wilde's notorious 1891 stageplay, SALOMÉ is a queer classic. Produced by its star Alla Nazimova and designed by Natacha Rambova, the film re-envisions the biblical story of Salomé, who danced for King Herod with the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Inspired by the work of Aubrey Beardsley, whose illustrations accompanied the first English translation of Wilde's play, Nazimova and Rambova abandoned any effort at historical realism, crafting a style that film scholar Martin Turnbull has called "Art Nouveau meets searing minimalism meets Hollywood decadence." Under-appreciated in its day – Photoplay's reviewer called the film "bizarre stuff," a "hothouse orchid of decadent passion" – SALOMÉ is now considered one of the first American art films.

"A corrective to our collective amnesia. A thrilling look at the variety of films made by women, most before they won the right to vote."


"Provides a rare opportunity to see some of the greatest films helmed by early Hollywood’s intrepid women... filling in the blanks of the past and reclaiming the medium’s forgotten stories."


"One of this year’s most essential archival box sets."


"This is nirvana for keen purchasers ready to immerse themselves in a blossoming new expression started over 100 years ago. To those even remotely interested - Kino's 6 Blu-ray package is strongly recommended!"


"...an essential piece of film history, and engaging viewing besides."


"Film fans, rejoice! The true history of the motion picture industry just got a bit more complete."


"This wonderful box set would make a perfect gift for anyone interested in women in film or in film history."


"...one of the most important disc sets of 2018, and it's the perfect gift for the serious cinephile."


Crew
Directed by Alice Guy-Blaché, Lois Weber, Helen Holmes, Mabel Normand, Grace Cunard and Dorothy Davenport Reid