We need more women in film!
Recently, I decided I wanted to watch a comedy that I hadn’t seen before (which isn’t many) and in the end found a hilarious film starring Melissa McCarthy that got me thinking. While Melissa McCarthy is both hilarious and kick ass in this film she is still left vulnerable by her unrequited love for her co-worker. Moreover, she is still left the subject of male desire even though she is constantly dressed in funny and unappealing costumes. This made me think; can women be in a film without being the object of desire being their only role? And would the influence of a more gender equalised industry change this?
The stats
In terms of equality within the film industry, unfortunately, even though women accounted for 52% of all movie goers in 2017, only 4% of directors are female along with only 3% cinematographers and 19% producers. So how can films appeal to the female audience if the majority of filmmakers are male? And is this the reason for women’s hyper sexuality and objectification within films?
These questions got my head spinning, so as a female filmmaker I decided to look at women within the industry that can inspire a future generation, and characters that best provide a good influence for women.
Kick-ass female film-buff’s
Now the female community in film may be small, but it is fierce! Take Kathryn Bigelow, the only women director to win an academy award for best director, and the director of the action packed Hurt Locker. With a long filmography, Kathryn has proven to be a ‘jack of all trades’ (excuse the masculine figure of speech!) ranging from directing, producing, acting and many more! Women like Kathryn prove that the film industry is not beyond our reach as women, and that it would even benefit from our input.
Another inspirational woman in tech and film is Hedy Lemarr (you can read our previous blog post on her here). Becoming a Hollywood movie star of the 1930’s to the 1950’s was just the beginning for Hedy. Appearing in feature films such as Algiers (1938), I Take This Woman (1940), and Comrade X (1940), her Hollywood career was not everything we can celebrate her for. During Word War II, Hedy invented a radio guidance system for torpedo’s. Now while her technology was not adopted until the 1960’s, Hedy’s invention has become the centre of WiFi and Bluetooth technology. So not only did Hedy grace us with her beauty and acting skills, but with her intelligence, and for that, I think she’s a pretty awesome role model.
Not just for the boys
Now I don’t want to seem biased, as I do have many male filmmakers that inspire me! However, I believe that as a woman attempting to make it in a male orientated business, these female role models are essential and have been encouraging me from day one. For positive girl power inspiration make sure you check out XX, a series of short horror films all directed by women starring female leads.
Going in to the film industry was difficult for me as a woman. From the outset I was told to choose a different profession, that I might be bored or feel intimidated being surrounded by boys. But I’m glad I didn’t listen to them now! It’s not just boys who are in to films, there are plenty of aspiring and successful female filmmakers who are kicking ass in the film industry, showing intense talent and creativity. My aim is to make sure women are not put off from the jobs they would be exceptional in because in the past it has been male dominated. My advice would be to trust your instincts. And that is why i call myself The Feminist Filmmaker.
Written by Steph Rushton. Check out her work on instagram!
I am my own muse. The subject I know best. The subject I want to be better – Frida Kahlo