As of this writing, it is March 8, 2020, which means it is International Women’s Day. It’s a day that celebrates women and their accomplishments in politics, culture, and many other aspects of our world. Over the centuries, women have fought to be heard and respected on the same level as men. Over the past 50 or so years, we’ve seen women become more and more actively involved in civil rights, entertainment, and the political arena. For this post, I want to celebrate the women who have made really strong contributions to the world of film. I’ve already spoken about strong female characters and the actresses who play them, but what about the ladies that work behind-the-scenes? I’m talking about producers, directors, and stunt-women. While these roles are generally male-dominated, it’s important to understand that women have come a long way. Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen some really strong movies with women in the lead as directors and producers. It’s the same thing with television. While I’ve generally asserted that one should hire the right person for the job, sometimes the right person is a woman. So, let’s take a look at the ladies who are helping to shape the industry.
Zoe Bell – Stunt-woman
The job of a stuntman/stunt-woman is often a thankless one, and it’s a shame. Stunts are an incredibly important part of film-making. This one might seem like a cheat, because it’s something you can actually see, but hear me out: The purpose of a stunt-person is to do the dangerous job that most actors can’t or won’t do like falling off of buildings are getting set on fire. That’s where the stunt-person comes in. Their other job is to make the actor/actress they’re doubling to look good. Because of the nature of the job, stunt-people often don’t get the recognition that they deserve. It’s even harder for women to break through in that field because it is so heavily dominated by men. Zoe Bell of New Zealand, is one of the many women who are leading the way for more women to get involved with stunts. Zoe has had a hell of a career doubling actresses like Lucy Lawless in Xena and Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill films. In fact, Zoe Bell is one of the go-to stunt-women for Quentin Tarantino because she’s so damned good at what she does. You want a perfect example? Watch Death Proof. Not only is the film her first real meaty role(playing herself), but she does ALL of her own stunts.
Kathleen Kennedy – Producer
Now, some people might get on my case for including Ms. Kennedy here because of how the last few Star Wars films have turned out. As the leader of Lucasfilm, I think she’s in over her head with running a studio. However, when you look at her filmography, you have to admire her career as a producer. She’s one of the best in the world. She’s worked with some of the best directors in the world including Steven Spielberg. You look at the original Indiana Jones films, An American Tail, and Cape Fear, and you can see how she’s managed to keep these films from going off the rails. Her first film as a producer was Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Basically, she hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped. While she hasn’t always made the best decisions, her record speaks for itself. Despite some recent issues with Star Wars, I think she deserves recognition as one of the best producers in the industry.
Kathryn Bigelow – Director
In terms of film, television and stage-plays, the director can be referred to as the “leader, the head honcho, or the captain.” These folks are the reason why movies look the way they do. They pretty much run everything that isn’t financial or basic managerial stuff. With cameras, actors, and other staff, directors are easily the most important aspect of film-making. Let me tell you, Kathryn Bigelow is a leader. She is a pioneer for women who want to get in the director’s seat. She’s responsible for some of the best movies of the past 40 years including Near Dark, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break, The Hurt Locker, and Detroit. Kathryn is also the first and only woman to win an Academy Award for best director, and that was for The Hurt Locker. She’s also a producer AND a writer. She’s phenomenal.
Jennifer Kent – Writer/Director
Coming from Australia, Jennifer Kent doesn’t appear to have much of a filmography. She only has two full-length films to her name, The Babadook and The Nightingale. While I haven’t seen The Babadook, I did see The Nightingale. For Kent’s second film, The Nightingale is a powerhouse of a film. It is one of the most brutal and unsettling period pieces that I’ve seen in years. It’s not for everybody, but Jennifer Kent’s attention to detail and her passion for the subject matter is unquestionable. While the film might drag at times, it’s an experience. It takes a person of rare talent to craft a film that not only has a visceral impact on the audience, but to do it in a way that doesn’t feel exploitative is extraordinary. Her method of story-telling is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
Gale Ann Hurd – Producer
Like Kathleen Kennedy, Gale Ann Hurd is one of the leading producers in the industry today. Like Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Hurd has worked on some of the biggest movies in cinematic history including The Terminator, The Abyss, True Lies, Armageddon, and The Punisher. If there was a big action/science fiction movie during the 80s and 90s, you would most likely see Gale Ann Hurd’s name attached, especially if the film was rated R. She tends to be drawn to those kinds of movies and it shows. Like Kathleen Kennedy, Ms. Hurd is one of the best in the business, and she knows how to get things done. She’s currently an executive producer on The Walking Dead TV series, so she’s doing something right. I’m an absolute fan of hers.
Patty Jenkins – Director
Patty Jenkins burst onto the scene with a little movie called Monster back in 2003. It was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike. Because of the film, Patty Jenkins career seemed to have taken off. However, she wouldn’t direct a big-screen movie again until Wonder Woman. I think that Wonder Woman is an important film in many ways. Not only is it a fantastic comic book film in its own right, but it was well-respected by almost everybody. It also hammered home the idea that Patty Jenkins was a force to be reckoned with as a director. While I think Wonder Woman could have been okay if it was directed by a man, I think it was the right decision on Warner Bros. part to have a woman direct a film about a female superhero. Obviously, Ms. Jenkins is a fan of the character, so she wanted to get it right. She succeeded. Wonder Woman ’84 is due to be released in June, and I am excited for it. Patty Jenkins deserves a lot more credit and work than what she’s been given.
While women are still underrepresented in the film industry as far as film-making goes, we’re seeing more and more women taking on huge roles in the industry that require a lot of responsibility. Directing, writing, producing. These are the foundations of film-making and to see women willing to tackle these films is fantastic to see. It’s even better when women can make a better movie than men. Again, I will always say that you need to hire the right person for the job, but sometimes the best person for that job……is a woman.