This study examines major contemporary women directors of narrative feature films - their themes, art and circumstances under which they work. Quart contends that women are creating a film language and sensibility that are unique, strong and, until now, unexplored. Her discussion centres on the ties between women directors, rather than on a survey of women who direct films. Beginning with the antecedents to today's burgeoning number of women directors, the study progresses to American women directors. Subsequent chapters focus on women directors in Western Europe and Eastern Europe, with some attention as well to Asia and Latin America. Appealing to a wide audience, this work will be of value to scholars of women's studies, film studies and popular culture.