ReFocus: The Films of Barbara Kopple

ReFocus: The Films of Barbara Kopple
By Jeff Jaeckle and Susan Ryan
As the first woman to win two Best Documentary Oscars and the recipient of numerous lifetime achievement awards, Barbara Kopple deserves scholarly attention. Two of her early documentaries, Harlan County USA and American Dream, not only won Academy Awards but are foundational within the study of documentary as a whole.
In ReFocus: The Films of Barbara Kopple, a range of international scholars trace Kopple's career to date, analysing her contributions in the contexts of funding, style, production and reception, and examining her films' interrogations of social class using the lenses of gender, sexuality and race. In a shifting digital media landscape, Kopple's critical reputation is also assessed, alongside her enduring influence on contemporary filmmakers.
Jeff Jaeckle holds a doctorate from the University of Texas-Austin and teaches at Portland Community College. Susan Ryan worked with Barbara Kopple for several years as a producer and archival researcher. She teaches documentary production and film studies at The College of New Jersey.