Film Forum and Reviews

I was shocked to find out that there are so few female directors out there (only 6% of 2007's top 250 grossing films were directed by a woman).
I would like to know why this is (my dream is to be a film director) Can anybody offer any suggestions?

Is it because executives of production companies are looking for fantasy images of their younger selves? Or because business deals for a new production are often made over drinks at film festivals but when it is between a man and a woman it is considered flirting?

Could it be because most women also have mother responsibilities at some stage in their life and filming keeps them away for too long from their family?

The other aspect that puzzles me is that those few successful women directors out there (like Nancy Meyers and Gurinder Chadha) only seem to be directing romantic comedies i.e. chic flicks. While I am a big fan of romantic comedies, I do not understand why in such a modern age people in the film business still seem to think a woman can't direct an action-adventure, science fiction or horror movie?
It's certainly not because the women do not want to. I myself would love to direct a big action movie one day. (Not one that is stuffed full of cliches with the same old storyline though)
I know of Mimi Leder and Kathryn Bigelow but are there any other successful ones out there?

Also why has no woman ever won the Oscar for best director? (three have been nominated.) Is that because the Academy is simply biased?

What are your opinions and thoughts?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as I am also doing this for my media research project. Thanks =)

Wow, I love this post! I'm a guy but I have tyhought about this on numerous occasions and to be honest I could name many women directors.

It is very puzzling. Whether it has been a case that none have been bold ebough to approach studio with a projects like this or they do and the studios give it to men anyway I really dont know..

Don't think it's because of biast they women don't get voted for major awards, rather there are so the ration to men making 'Big Movies' to women is massive...

I have no suggestions about getting into the business. Me and one of the reviews from my review site are also hoping to get into making movies but it's costly and difficult to get anyone to sit up and take notice but all the best getting into it ifyou can!

missjosy wrote:I was shocked to find out that there are so few female directors out there (only 6% of 2007's top 250 grossing films were directed by a woman).

Scary & depressing statistic

missjosy wrote:I would like to know why this is (my dream is to be a film director) Can anybody offer any suggestions?

My made up in the last 10 seconds theory:
I put it down to the age old glass ceiling. Men in the positions of power for decades, who egotistically tend to hire versions of themselves (as they are so great and almighty, how could another version of themselves not be equally awesome too), who are used to abusing their power to get beautiful women. This in turn over time makes them see women as just objects rather than as equals. Hopefully with time (but sooner rather than later), the film industry will catch up with other industries, drag it's chauvinistic ass into the 21st century and treat women as equals.

missjosy wrote:The other aspect that puzzles me is that those few successful women directors out there (like Nancy Meyers and Gurinder Chadha) only seem to be directing romantic comedies i.e. chic flicks. While I am a big fan of romantic comedies, I do not understand why in such a modern age people in the film business still seem to think a woman can't direct an action-adventure, science fiction or horror movie?

A few exceptions springs to mind:
"Kathryn Bigelow": Director of "Point Break", "Strange Days", "Near Dark" and "Blue Streak".
Karyn Kusama: Diector of "Girlfight" and "Aeon Flux" (which was much better than I was led to expect).
Lexi Alexander: Director of 'Green Streeet' (or Hooligans in America I gather) and Punisher: Warzone
At a slight stretch, there is also Catherine Hardwicke, director of "Twilight" (which I gather had some action bits) and "Lords of Dogtown" (which had great skateboard scenes... not violence, but certainly action).