Bette Gordon

A pioneer in American Independent Cinema, Bette Gordon is known for her bold explorations of themes related to sexuality, violence and power. Her films have been screened theatrically in the US and abroad, as well as in all the major film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Sundance. Her films are in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum, The Centre Georges Pompidou and MoMA. Gordon is best known for Variety (1984), a beautifully seductive film about voyeurism and pornography. Luminous Motion (2000) was produced by Ted Hope and Anthony Bregman and stars Deborah Kara Unger in a breathtaking performance. Gordon's film Handsome Harry premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival (2009) and opened theatrically to rave reviews. The film features a stellar ensemble cast including Steve Buscemi, Aidan Quinn, Campbell Scott, Jamey Sheridan. The film critic John Powers has said, “Gordon’s willingness to explore dangerous territory puts her miles ahead of most filmmakers.” Gordon has been the subject of recent retrospectives around the country, including in New York at the IFC Cinema and at Anthology Film Archives. Gordon has a BA, MA, and MFA from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.