Bahar Hariri / Staff Reporter

“It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow, we’re always doing it wrong.”

America Ferrera’s monologue from the film Barbie grew notorious for its reflection upon the lives of women. It tied together everything that “Barbie” was conveying throughout the movie, demonstrating the hardships and challenges women must face. It was uplifting and advocating for women everywhere. Barbie hitting the number one box office movie seemed like a massive success for women and female representation in film, however what appeared to be progress for women, was just an illusion, hiding the gender inequality present in the mainstream film industry today.

Underrepresentation in roles:

For years, the film industry has been dominated by men. Actors, directors, cinematographers, writers, producers, and more vital roles in the film business, have been overwhelmingly male, and are constantly overpowering women in these spaces. According to San Diego State University, in 2022, women accounted for 8% of cinematographers, 22% of directors, 23% of writers, 27% of producers, 29% of executive producers, and 30% of editors. This underrepresentation has not budged for over 25 years and is supported by the data accumulated in the Celluloid Ceiling: Employment of Behind-the-Scenes Women on Top Grossing U.S. Films in 2023.

This project, tracking women’s employment in the top 250 grossing films, showed how the percentage of women in film, including roles such as directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers, dropped from 24% in 2022, to 22% in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of women working on the top 100 films decreased one percent from 22% in 2022, to 21% in 2023.

Historically, women in film have been marginalized, only being hired for physical appearances, and being valued only because of looks. This posed as a systemic barrier, impeding on women’s efforts to break past the “cinematic ceiling.” This underrepresentation stems from stereotypes, assumptions, and systemic discrimination. The author of the Celluloid Ceiling, Dr. Martha M. Lauzen, investigated an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which found that major Hollywood studios had “systemically discriminated” against female directors. Furthermore, reports found that six major studios in Hollywood engaged in settlement talks with the EEOC due to alleged cases of sexist hiring practices.

So why does it seem that in a modern, rapidly evolving world, things are moving backwards? Researcher led by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, found major data applying to the decline of representation. In their USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report, research showed that 2023’s top-grossing films featured the same number of girls or women leads as it did in 2010.

“This is a catastrophic step back for girls and women in film,”

Dr. Stacy L. Smith

It’s not all negative..

Even so, the entirety of the research wasn’t as bleak. The report showed that 37 out of the 100 top-grossing films, were led by an actor from an underrepresented racial/ethnic group. This however, doesn’t necessarily translate to women of colour.

A major moment in the trajectory of the journey of women of colour in film, was when Halle Berry won her Oscar. On March 24, 2002, Berry became the first black woman to win the Oscar for best actress. She played the role of a struggling widow who falls in love with her husband’s death row executioner, in the movie Monster Ball.

Her Oscar was an impactful and historic one. “This moment is so much bigger than me.” Her emotional and moving words stand for progress and reform.

“And its for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door has been opened.”

The report also showed evidence of the underrepresentation of middle age and older women in the industry, who most often have their stories completely erased. Because of the stigma against older women in the film business, there are fewer opportunities available for them, leading to a discrepancy in the balance of representation. Because of this, Michelle Yeoh’s success and praise from Everything Everywhere All at Once from 2022 was an immensely powerful milestone. It showed not only victory for all women, but for the older women who are told they are “past their prime.”

Although the facts seem comfortless, there are silver linings and achievements of women to admire. There are successes that show relentlessness and perseverance, providing hope that the fight will continue. Just because there is not much progress currently, doesn’t mean the representation of women in the industry hasn’t already had monumental advancement. Accomplishments for individual women are wins for all of women, demonstrating growth.

“I’m hyperventilating a little bit, if I fall over pick me up because I’ve got some things to say.” This was the beginning of actor and film producer Frances McDormand’s Oscar speech for best actress in a leading role. She was awarded this because of her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDormand is an accomplished actor, with years of experience and three academy awards under her belt. She is an extraordinary actor and a humble role model for all women in film and leads with her heart in advocating for women’s equality in the film space. Her vivid speech regarding her second Oscar win is an unforgettable moment in Oscar history, as she stood proudly and confidently on that stage and stood up for the women in the entertainment industry. She stood in solidarity with all the women in the Dolby Theatre that night, drawing attention from industry bigshots to the presence of female talent.

“Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we’ll tell you all about them.”

Organizations

After exploring the inconsistencies which consist in gender equality in the entertainment world, it is vital to also explore what actions are being taken to correct this major gap in the industry. Women In Film, often recognized as WIF, is an organization dedicated to supporting women in the film space.

By advocating for and sustaining the careers of women, nonbinary, and trans people working in the screen industry, they help work towards bridging the gender parity and remodeling the culture in the film space. WIF expands this principle into three key elements: expanding the pipeline, sustaining careers, and advocating for change. By this process, WIF has grown into a praised and respected organization, and a meaningful community.

Looking into community-based organizations leads into the organization: Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver, or GEMS. Based in Vancouver, this group is a member-oriented organization committed to creating gender equity for women and gender diverse individuals in film and television. Their values consist of advocating and organizing for equity in film and TV, providing low-barrier, accessible programming, as well as producing the annual Gender Equity in Media Festival, or GEMFest.

Women are capable of so much, with burning desires and brilliant minds. It would truly be a shame if they continue being underrepresented in this industry, when the talents they bring are remarkable. There must be action taken, to defeat the discrimination and inequality in the film industry, and ensure women hold powerful positions and leadership roles.

By looking to exemplary role models, such as Halle Berry, Michelle Yeoh and Frances McDormand, one can comprehend the incredible opportunities and endless possibilities that exist in this career. It is vital not only to recognize the women on the screen, but the ones contributing behind the scenes, such as directors, writers, cinemaphotographers, and so much more. Women, especially younger girls with big dreams, deserve to have their voices heard and their presence acknowledged, and with the proper support and communication, society can move forward and find a future with better representation and equality.

Sources:

Media: