Independent Woman: TIFF's Ida Lupino Retrospective

When it comes to amazing women in film, Ida Lupino will always come to mind. Not only is she the first woman to direct a film noir, The Hitch-Hiker. She also directed and acted in episodes of the original The Twilight Zone and was the second woman ever to be admitted into the Director’s Guild. So it goes without saying that Ida Lupino is a bad ass and every bit deserving of TIFF's retrospective Ida Lupino: Independent Woman.
 
Ida Lupino started her career as an actress living in London, England with her first film was Her First Affaire (1932). Not long after the acting bug bit her, she made the move Hollywood in 1934. She starred several films such as Peter Ibbetson, High Sierra, The Sea Wolf and The Light That Failed. She kept her acting career going for many years until she took her first shot at directing in 1949 with Never Fear. In 1953, she directed The Hitch-Hiker and became the first woman ever to direct a film noir. That is bad ass, just sayin’.

The Hitch-Hiker

She told the stories that most people were shying away from such as polio, rape, un-wed mothers, and bigamy. This is how she put her name on the map. In 1950, she earned her place within the Directors Guild and was the second woman ever to be accepted. (The first was Dorothy Arzner.) You can clearly see why Ida Lupino is strong female inspiration. She accomplished so much in her lifetime with her acting, directing, and writing; she is truly an inspiration to her fellow sisters out there working their butts off to achieve their dream. 
 
“I’d love to see more women working as directors and producers. Today it’s almost impossible to do it unless you are an actress or writer with power. I wouldn’t hesitate right this minute to hire a talented woman if the subject matter were right.” — Ida Lupino.
 
TIFF Bell Lightbox is hosting a retrospective this month in celebration of Ida Lupino and her work in film. Titles are: Road House, The Big Knife, High Sierra, Never Fear, Moontide, The Hitch-Hiker, Outrage, They Drive by Night, Private Hell and The Bigamist. Don’t miss your chance to see these classic films up on the big screen! What are you waiting for?!