2008 - What, No Women Filmmakers?
December 20th, 2007 by Erin
The film site firstshowing has curated a list of films that will be released by major studios in 2008. The post is titled: Why 2008 Will Be An Awesome Year For Movies and it consists of 54 films selected from over 120 major studio releases. It’s a great list made by Alex Billington, with a mixture of films I’m anxious to see and others that look like typical blockbuster flops that could end up making a lot of money opening weekend.
Here’s my problem: out of 54 films selected, Alex couldn’t find a SINGLE FILM directed by a woman that looks “awesome.” What is this, the 1950’s? Even if it were, and a list were being made, I’m sure Agnès Varda would have made the cut.
I wonder why these films didn’t make the cut of 54 reasons why 2008 will be an awesome year for movies?
1. 27 Dresses, directed by Anne Fletcher and written by screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna (who wrote the hugely successful The Devil Wears Prada) will be in theatres January 11th 2008.
2. Mad Money, starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes and directed by Callie Khouri will be in theatres January 18th 2008.
3. Stop Loss, Kimberly Peirce’s follow up to her Oscar nominated film Boys Don’t Cry will be released March 28th 2008
4. Nim’s Island, directed by Jennifer Flackett, starring Jodi Foster, Gerard Butler and Abigail Breslin, will be released April 4th 2008 .
5. Mamma Mia! brought to the big screen by Phyllida Lloyd will be in theatres July 18th 2008.
What makes Fanboys, Jumper or Repo! The Genetic Opera more “awesome worthy?” I have nothing against these films but I am curious to know why the release of Mamma Mia! (which is based on a hit Broadway play and has to do with one of the world’s most popular musical groups) does not merit the same hype?
Alex made a similar list last year with 43 reasons Why 2007 Will Be A Great Year For Movies. Again, not a single female director on his list. What happened to these titles, all released in 2007?
1. The Savages, by Tamara Jenkins
2. Broken English, by Zoe Cassavetes
3. The Jane Austen Book Club by Robin Swicord
4. Away From Her by Sarah Polley
5. Catch and Release by Susannah Grant
6. Hounddog by Deborah Kampmeier
7. Waitress by Adrienne Shelly
Whether these films were good or bad, I don’t see why they can’t take their place next to The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Hot Fuzz or Reno 911! Miami. Why are their film’s being held to a different standard of what constitutes a “projected” great year in movies?
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