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Annie J. Howell's Shortlist

Published on March 18, 2008

The Shortlist article series is your opportunity to learn about the films that inspire intellectual, artistic and activist leaders — leaders like filmmaker Annie J. Howell. We asked Annie to share her favorite films and her thoughts on the power of documentary to change the world. So what films make Annie J. Howell's Shortlist? Keep reading to find out.

Annie J. Howell. Photo by Don Hamerman

Who is Annie Howell?

Annie J. Howell is a filmmaker and educator. In 1999, she worked with The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University to pilot documentary video into the Center's offerings. From there, she continued to break ground in documentary education by co-creating and leading The New School's Graduate Certificate in Documentary Media Studies, a one-year intensive graduate program in documentary history, theory and practice. Now in its second year, The New School's program is poised to be one of the premiere programs for documentary on the East Coast.

Howell's own films have been exhibited internationally on the film festival circuit, including screenings at SXSW, Clermont-Ferrand, and SilverDOCS, and broadcast on the Sundance Channel, PBS, and the Independent Film Channel. Her fiction work includes screenplays in development and a webisode, www.sparks-series.com. Howell earned an MFA in Film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

Annie J. Howell on the Power of Film

The first time I remember being cognizant of the creative power of film was when Ferris Bueller began to "talk to the audience" after the credits finished rolling on John Hughes' film. If you remember — he opens his bedroom door, looks out, and says, "What are you still doing here? Go home!" I was a kid, and I was blown away — "he's not supposed to do that! He's a character in a film." I later discovered that Godard was doing direct address long before Ferris.

I discovered that fiction work could be shockingly 'real.' I discovered that 'real' nonfiction work could be shockingly dramatic. I'm constantly finding that my life is informed and enriched by relationships I've had with filmic characters — both fiction and nonfiction. Films, filmmaking and teaching film have been a cornerstone. For me, it's the art form that can best whittle away at stereotypes, foster a more complicated understanding of the world, and provide for a moving, aesthetic, artistic experience — sometimes all in the same film!

Annie J. Howell's Film Picks

The Thin Blue Line: This film is amazing — documentary noir, style to the hilt. It's not only beautiful, but its combining elements of art, investigative journalism, activism and storytelling are absolutely unique.

Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman: Jennifer Fox's sheer will to investigate broad themes of womanhood was inspired and inspiring.

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple: So filled with empathy, so beautifully rendered. Gorgeous historical doc-making.

Nobody's Business: I couldn't believe what I was watching when I first saw this film — the utter creativity in form, the unbelievable intimacy. Awesome.

The Gleaners and I: Agnes Varda's stunning collage to gleaning, collecting – messy, meandering, gorgeously framed.

Lessons in Darkness: Burning oil field in Kuwait.

Hearts and Minds: Important; amazingly well-crafted.

What I Want My Words To Do To You: A weeper. Incarcerated women honestly confronting their crimes, turning those confessions into art.

To Be and To Have: Shot on film, gorgeously capturing childhood and education.

Murderball: I love this movie and feel it created a new dawn for the documentary blockbuster.

Streetwise: Unbelievable photography.