Gillian Armstrong

Just three years after graduating the Australian Film Television and Radio School, Jillian Armstrong directed two short films and since that beginning, she directed approximately 25 films, documentaries and shorts of which she is most noted for strong " character studies, with human interaction and personal journey at the heart of the narrative. With that as her springboard, she has ventured to explore several genres, including musical, gangster and most commonly, period drama. Though her stories do mostly revolve around female characters and feature women in lead roles” (Everist 314).

Armstrong specializes in period dramas like her famous 1994 film version of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” In a NY Times article review, Janet Maslin writes “Ms. Armstrong instantly demonstrates that she has caught the essence of this book's sweetness and cast her film uncannily well, finding sparkling young actresses who are exactly right for their famous roles. The effect is magical. And for all its unimaginable innocence, the story has a touching naturalness this time.” (Maslin 1) The captivating nature of this film cannot go unnoticed.



In her film, she chooses extremely strong female leading roles; casting Winona Ryder as Jo, Susan Sarandon as Marmee and Trini Alvarado as Meg and Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst as the March sisters. In the film she incorporates a lot of themes from her previous work such as feminist theory, ‘specific shots of children playing the piano, oranges, the desire for a better life and unrequited love’ (Carter 2)

As an auteur, Armstrong intricately weaves a delicate lace of stories, personalities and life into her film. She has a unique way of telling a story through drama, art, humor and strong female characters.



References:
NY Times Film Review: The Gold Standard For Girlhood Across America by Janet Maslin: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=950DE0D81038F932A15751C1A962958260
Reviews on various works: http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/02/armstrong.html#1
Gillian Armstrong by Helen Carter: http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/02/armstrong.html#1