Women Behind the Camera

If you thought men and women were finally equal, you’re wrong. While it is obvious in some scenarios, I bet there are places you haven’t even thought to look. For instance, the film industry. More specifically, the job of directing. As of the end of this year, nearly 600 films “will be reviewed in the New York Times,” and of those, only 10% were directed by females. Interesting enough, I would bet that 90% of these movies have famous women that the public admires in the cast, if not in one of the lead roles. Why is being an actress acceptable, but being a director is scrutinized?
And who is more at blame—the public, male directors, or the women themselves that may choose not to direct to avoid the conflict? The field has always been male-dominated, even dating back to the early 1900s when the cinema first began. “In 81 years,” only 3 women directors have been nominated for an academy award. It is not surprising that none of them actually won. While prospects look good for female directors this year, there is no guarantee of any nominations or wins. It is a discouraging field for women, especially when studios themselves don’t try to help. In 2009, “Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures” “did not release a single film directed by a woman.” Are they scared of losing money or reputation? They have had movies in the past, directed by men that completely bombed at the office, yet those men are still working for them. It seems like double standards are being used, just like they were decades ago; back when women were expected to hold certain jobs, make certain wages, and not exceed their boundaries. Its saddening that even in the year we are in, with all the advancements that have been made, we are still stereotyping and limiting jobs based on gender. In the words of Ida May Park (a female director in 1920), “the director’s role is not for you (women). Wait until the profession has emerged from its embryonic state and a system has been evolved by which the terrific weight of responsibility can be lifted from one pair of shoulders. When that time comes I believe that women will find no finer calling.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/movies/13dargis.html?ref=arts