The funny and insightful first-person account of a trailblazing movie director from the 80s and 90s reveals her journey from a suburban "good-girl" to a pioneering filmmaker. Starting in the mid-70s, when few women directed films, she was determined to tell stories about unconventional women seeking autonomy. Her genre-blending works, including the groundbreaking punk drama "Smithereens" and the hit "Desperately Seeking Susan," reflect a passion for classic Hollywood storytelling infused with a playful New Wave spirit, shaped by her experiences in downtown NYC. Seidelman continued to influence American pop culture into the 90s, notably directing the pilot of the iconic series “Sex And The City,” which focused on the evolving role of women in society and reshaped self-image in enduring ways. Leaving the Philly suburbs in 1973, she enrolled at NYU’s film school and moved to the chaotic Lower East Side, where a vibrant creative scene flourished amidst urban decay. This environment inspired her to chronicle the lives of colorful misfits and dreamers. In her narrative, Seidelman shares her keen perspective on the cultural shifts she experienced—from her Twiggy-obsessed girlhood to the Women’s Lib movement, the punk scene, and the dot-com era—while weaving captivating stories that resonate with her audience.
