Donna Deitch

DESERT HEARTS depended on the connection between its two lead actors, Patricia Charbonneau and Helen Shaver, and on their trust in director Donna Deitch. In the following program, made by the Criterion Collection in New York in 2017, the actors and the director discuss the making of the film, the close bond they formed, and the ways it changed their lives.

Filmed in Los Angeles in August 2017, director Donna Deitch, cinematographer Robert Elswit and production designer Jeannine Oppewall discuss their collaboration in creating the look of DESERT HEARTS.

Using rare footage and exclusive interviews with filmmakers from all over the globe, "Reel Herstory" corrects the historic notion that women behind the scenes in motion pictures held peripheral careers compared with their male counterparts.

A chronological look at films by, for, or about gays and lesbians in the United States, from 1947 to 2005, Kenneth Anger's "Fireworks" to "Brokeback Mountain". Talking heads, anchored by critic and scholar B. Ruby Rich, are interspersed with an advancing timeline and with clips from two dozen films. The narrative groups the pictures around various firsts, movements, and triumphs: experimental films, indie films, sex on screen, outlaw culture and bad guys, lesbian lovers, films about AIDS and dying, emergence of romantic comedy, transgender films, films about diversity and various cultures, documentaries and then mainstream Hollywood drama. What might come next?

Directed by Kevin Burns, this documentary from Playboy Home Video examines the oftentimes tense relationship between sex, women, and popular Hollywood culture. With a particular focus given to Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Jean Harlow, and Sharon Stone, Sex at 24 Frames Per Second studies the role of female sexuality in film throughout the years. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

This movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy", a woman joins the Navy during the 1950's and discovers lesbianism. In "Mr. Roberts", a teacher in a 1970's classroom struggles with his closeted gay status. Finally in "Amos and Andy", a father wrestles with his own emotional acceptance of a present day wedding between his son and another man.

An American-born Jewish adolescent, Hannah Stern is uninterested in the culture, faith and customs of her relatives. However, she begins to revaluate her heritage when she has a supernatural experience that transports her back to a Nazi death camp in 1941. There she meets a young girl named Rivkah, a fellow captive in the camp. As Rivkah and Hannah struggle to survive in the face of daily atrocities, they form an unbreakable bond.

Donna Deitch directed this documentary about the illness and death of her friend, actress Gwen Welles (Nashville). Diagnosed with an cancerous tumor in 1992, Welles chose not to go for conventional treatments, and the film shows her deterioration. Shot on video with a later transfer to 16mm, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Donna Deitch directed this documentary about the illness and death of her friend, actress Gwen Welles (Nashville). Diagnosed with an cancerous tumor in 1992, Welles chose not to go for conventional treatments, and the film shows her deterioration. Shot on video with a later transfer to 16mm, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Donna Deitch directed this documentary about the illness and death of her friend, actress Gwen Welles (Nashville). Diagnosed with an cancerous tumor in 1992, Welles chose not to go for conventional treatments, and the film shows her deterioration. Shot on video with a later transfer to 16mm, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Donna Deitch directed this documentary about the illness and death of her friend, actress Gwen Welles (Nashville). Diagnosed with an cancerous tumor in 1992, Welles chose not to go for conventional treatments, and the film shows her deterioration. Shot on video with a later transfer to 16mm, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Donna Deitch directed this documentary about the illness and death of her friend, actress Gwen Welles (Nashville). Diagnosed with an cancerous tumor in 1992, Welles chose not to go for conventional treatments, and the film shows her deterioration. Shot on video with a later transfer to 16mm, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Kim Jameson is a university professor while Kate Jameson - also known as Dominique, Kim’s twin sister - is a troubled model working in Paris. Kate is a drunk, in desperate need of rehabilitation. Kim checks her twin sister into a rehab center, agreeing to fill in for Dominique during her absence, but by doing so takes on more than she bargained for.

A homicide detective begins a torrid affair with a senator's son who is a suspect in a series of grisly murders.

Drama about a happily married career woman who falls victim to a management power play involving sexual harassment by her sports-equipment company's in-house lawyer.

Three novels - three dramatic stories in the walls of the women's prison. The first story - a brand new, first went to prison inmates. The second - about a mother whose son has ceased to go to prison for visits. The third - about the experiences of women on the eve of its release.

A multigenerational story of the lives of several black women who call an inner-city tenement home.

Documentary about women in the film industry. Numerous notable actresses and female directors share their thoughts.

The story of straight-edge literature professor Vivian who travels to Reno to get away from a relationship breakup when she falls in love with an attractive and unconventional girl named Cay.

The story of straight-edge literature professor Vivian who travels to Reno to get away from a relationship breakup when she falls in love with an attractive and unconventional girl named Cay.

The story of straight-edge literature professor Vivian who travels to Reno to get away from a relationship breakup when she falls in love with an attractive and unconventional girl named Cay.

A documentary about hookers, housewives, and other mothers.

An awe-inspiring surreal allegory of man's destruction of himself and his environment, expressed through haunting, superimposed images of overwhelming power and authority.

16mm, color, 3 min. Dir. Donna Deitch.

An improvised late '60's short-subject student film, and debut movie of Charles Burnett; done in the neo-realist, documentary film style. A day-in-the-life South Central L.A. tale about a rag-tag group of unemployed black male pals.

16mm, color, 4 min. Dir. Donna Deitch.

16mm, color, 4 min. Dir. Donna Deitch.

This documentary features the most gifted young directors of the 80's and 90's, revealing the secrets of their success in their craft.