The gender imbalance in Hollywood is so bizarrely mammoth that any new film directed by a woman feels like a small success. Women’s voices, though half of the population, are subdued by the force that is Hollywood’s deep-rooted sexism, but with initiatives like Women In Film’s 52 Films By Women, we ladies are (slowly) forcing our way through the century old barrier…
#52FilmsByWomen asks people to pledge their support by spending one year watching a film a week that is directed by a woman. The intent is to spread the word that females have been, and continue to be, at the helm of so many great films throughout history (shock horror). The company’s research suggests that one of the reasons women remain second class citizens in the film industry is due to a “perceived scarcity of talent pool and experience”. While the question of talent is, no doubt, grossly sexist, a lack of experience can only come down to the fact that women get less jobs.
Last year women comprised just 9% of all directors in the 250 top grossing films. Female executive producers were at 20%, while writers got 11% and cinematographers got 6% according to the Center For The Study of Women In Television and Film. Networks and funding agencies often see backing emerging female talent as a risk in comparison to their male counterparts. On Indiewire’s ‘Male Privilege Watch’ this week we see first time director Seth Grahame Smith is directing ‘The Flash’. So, clearly Hollywood isn’t all too concerned about a lack of experience when it comes to the boys.
A new report, ‘Independent Women’, examined numerous film festivals and found that women have a higher chance of directing indie flicks than major Hollywood productions (a total of 26% to Hollywoods 9%). The executive director, Martha Lauzen, told Variety that the findings “drive home the point that women who direct are much more plentiful than the numbers from the mainstream film industry would lead us to believe.” And when you look at these indies, it is so remarkably evident that women are creating some of the most interesting films right now. Take a look at Crystal Moselle’s documentary ‘The Wolfpack’ that follows the lives of brothers who are locked in their apartment and away from the world. Building an intense love for each other and a fascination for film, the flick is violent, endearing and funny all at once.
What’s more is that LA Film Festival is screening 25 films by females this year and when you pledge to #52FilmsByWomen you’ll receive 10% off passes to the film fest!
So, here’s some films you might want to add to your list!
- Lost In Translation (2003) – Sophia Coppola
- The Wolfpack (2015) – Crystal Moselle
- The Piano (1993) – Jane Campion
- The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) – Marielle Heller
- Mustang (2015) – Deniz Gamze Erguven (See at this years Sydney Film Festival!)
- Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) – Miranda July
- Cleo From 5 to 7 (1962) – Agnes Varda
- The Hurt Locker (2008) – Kathryn Bigelow
- Thirteen (2003) – Catherine Hardwicke
- American Psycho (2000) – Mary Huron
