Award-winning documentary film-maker who overcame sexism in postwar Britain to enjoy a 40-year career
Sarah Erulkar, the documentary director, who has died aged 92, was something of an outsider in the realm of postwar British film-making, being Indian-born, Jewish and a woman. While outwardly mild-mannered and self-effacing, however, she had an inner feistiness that ensured she quickly came to prominence and her strength found expression in many of the 80-plus documentaries she directed over a career that spanned 40 years.
Of course Erulkar also had great talent as well as determination. When she started out in London at the illustrious Shell Film Unit in 1946, instead of the customary gradual ascent from technician or scriptwriter to director, she was promoted to director on her second commission, Flight for Tomorrow (1947), a film about the postwar repurposing of military aircraft for civilian use. That year she also directed Lord Siva Danced, a portrait of the...
Sarah Erulkar, the documentary director, who has died aged 92, was something of an outsider in the realm of postwar British film-making, being Indian-born, Jewish and a woman. While outwardly mild-mannered and self-effacing, however, she had an inner feistiness that ensured she quickly came to prominence and her strength found expression in many of the 80-plus documentaries she directed over a career that spanned 40 years.
Of course Erulkar also had great talent as well as determination. When she started out in London at the illustrious Shell Film Unit in 1946, instead of the customary gradual ascent from technician or scriptwriter to director, she was promoted to director on her second commission, Flight for Tomorrow (1947), a film about the postwar repurposing of military aircraft for civilian use. That year she also directed Lord Siva Danced, a portrait of the...
- 6/15/2015
- by Katy McGahan
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.