JoAnn Elam (April 20, 1949 – June 25, 2009) was a Chicago-based filmmaker. Her films explored the themes of feminism and she was best known for her film Rape (1978). Elam also worked on other political and social documentaries such as her unfinished film Everyday People (1979–1990).
Not only did Elam's work focus on these themes but she also focused on everyday life in her films. While living in San Francisco,California, and Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she attended Antioch College, Elam had completed these everyday life documentary films. These films and her other films were produced on 16mm and 8mm films, but mainly 8mm.
Her films Rape and Everyday People have been subjects of great interest. Rape has been seen and applauded by many including authors of feminist film criticism journals and reviewers of the film. It has given women the power to speak up about experiences with rape and allowed them to be angry instead of keeping it all in. Everyday People has been on the art and film worlds’ interests because of its uncompleted state and the insight into the postal service, which she used to work for.
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