Local Filmmakers Producing ‘Women of War: Homefront Heroines’ Documentary

Bending River Films in Canton Township is producing “Women of War: Homefront Heroines,” a documentary exploring the crucial role American women played in winning World War II.

While battles raged overseas, millions of women transformed the homefront, stepping into factories, shipyards, and assembly lines to build the weapons and vehicles of war to secure an Allied victory. The film is scheduled to premiere on Detroit PBS in late 2026.

Produced and directed by award-winning filmmakers Keith Famie and Mark Salloum, the film chronicles the stories of the Original Rosies — women who riveted bombers, welded tanks, and manufactured ammunition with precision and speed.

The women didn’t fill gaps left by men at war; they proved their capability, skill, and value to the war effort and the nation’s economy.

Broadcast journalist JoAnne Purtan will serve as narrator. Her voice guides viewers through the remarkable journeys of these transformative women. The film also will feature singer-songwriter Jill Jack performing an original song, along with her moving tribute “Rosie,” which directly honors the women who were active in World War II.

The film pays particular attention to Detroit’s Arsenal of Democracy, where women became the backbone of wartime production.

In Michigan’s factories, women helped build the tanks, planes, and jeeps that turned the tide of war, demonstrating that American manufacturing supremacy depended as much on the women at home as the soldiers abroad.

“Women of War: Homefront Heroines” reveals how these women not only changed the outcome of World War II but permanently established their place in the American workforce, paving the way for future generations and redefining what women could achieve.

“As filmmakers, we believe some stories are too important to remain in the margins of history,” says Famie and Salloum. “’Women of War: Homefront Heroines’ is our commitment to preserving these voices, honoring these contributions, and ensuring that future generations understand the full scope of what was sacrificed and achieved during those critical years.”

Bending River Films creates authentic storytelling that inspires change and honors those who shaped history.

To watch the film trailer, visit here.

For more information about the film, visit here.