Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers - Where Are My Children?
The top money-maker for Universal in 1916, WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN? is one of two films Lois Weber wrote and directed on birth control and abortion at the height of Margaret Sanger's famous campaign to legalize contraception. There is no surviving print of the second film, THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, where Weber plays a birth control advocate clearly modeled on Sanger. In WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN? the case for legalized family planning is complicated by a eugenics argument that vilifies wealthy white women for having repeated abortions. Even still, the film remains a fascinating example of how Weber engaged complex contemporary social issues in popular narrative 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."
