Refocus: the Films of Susan Seidelman

Susan Seidelman's career is one of firsts, yet little is written about her. This collection begins filling that gap while opening the door for additional scholarship, making this a valuable text for years to come. As the first volume dedicated entirely to her work, ReFocus: The Films of Susan Seidelman includes never before published archival material and an interview with insights into her process and thoughts on #timesup and the future of the industry. Seidelman's first feature film, Smithereens, was the first American independent film to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. Her talent for casting became an asset to her films since she first insisted on Madonna for Desperately Seeking Susan early in her fame. Seidelman directed Meryl Streep and John Malkovich in their first comedy features, Roseanne Barr in her first feature film and Laverne Cox in one of her earliest features. Susan Santha Kerns is Associate Professor of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.