During my search of female film director to do some research on and I found Tizuka Yamasaki a Japanese-Brazilian film maker who directed the film Gaijin,Os Caminhos da Liberdade (Outsider: A Brazilian Odyssey). What really popped out was her Japanese-Brazilian origin, which made researching about her and her film much more compelling.
A quick synopsis taken from Wikipedia:
"At the beginning of the twentieth century a group of Japanese came to Brazil to work on a farm of coffee in Sao Paulo. They find it difficult to adapt because they are treated with hostility, having to work almost as slaves and are robbed by the employer. Only a few settlers treat them well, among them Tonho, the counter of the farm."
In auteur theory the director's personal creative vision influences the film, as if he or she were the main author or "auteur".
In her role as "auteur" her approach to directing the film Gaijin she had used her experiences growing up in Brazil to create the recreate the experience of hostility and hardships that Japanese immigrants faced.
Yamasaki as she was raised in Brazil she noticed that immigrants from Europe and Africa were recognized for their contributions to Brazil, while no one really mentioned Japan despite Brazil bring one of the largest colonies of Japanese Immigrants, second only to Hawaii. Using her personal experiences, the film refelts her creative vision.
Even the choice of the name of the film, Gaijin(the Japanese term for foreigner or outsider) helped emphasized the feelings the isolation and hostility that an immigrant faces.
The film was well received and had earned several international film awards.
With her debut film 1980 Gaijin, Os Caminhos da Liberdade, she had gained some critical acclaim.
Cannes Film Festival 1980 (France)
FISPRECI received the Award - Special Mention.
Gramado Festival 1980 (Brazil)
Won in the categories of Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (José Dumont), Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design.
Havana Film Festival 1980 (Cuba)
Won for Best Picture.Festival of New DelhiWon for Best Picture.
Yamasaki is similar to Saalfield who's own personal creative vision influences the film they direct.
Saalfield's activist agenda is present in most of her works. In her film "When Democracy Works" the film has an activist perspective at the strategies of the radical right with in an election year.
Saalfields videos are usually favorites at queer and women's film festivals across the country.
bibliography:
Catherine Saalfield - Art and Activism
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