In 2014 Women kept disappearing.

If you're not already familiar with the Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film from San Diego State University you should be. They do annual reports of the representation of women in front of and behind the camera.

In 2014 among the top 100 grossing movies 
Women represent 12% of the protagonists. The number of women who were represented as major characters and speaking characters were the same as last year,  both figures were about 30%. A staggering 74% of all women characters were white. 

If you further read the study there are interesting statistics regarding the decrease of female characters from their 30's to 40's compared to the increase of male characters in the same age range. There are also statistics regarding the role of women in leadership positions, whether their marital status is known, and whether they were identified via a work related role (ie, doctor, lawyer) vs a personal role (ie, mother, sister.) It's a pretty clear analysis of the ways in which women are marginalized on film.

Their study for the role of women behind the camera looked at the top 250 domestic grossing films in 2014. 
Specifically they looked at the roles of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers.

"38% of films employed 0 or 1 woman in the roles considered. 23% of films employed 2 women, 29% employed 3 to 5 women, 7% employed 6 to 9 women, and 3% employed 10 to 14 women. In contrast, no films employed 0 or 1 man in the roles considered, and 69% employed 10 to 27 men."

A whopping 93% of films had no female director, and 79% of the films had no female writer.

The figures for women working as cinematographers or composers? Even more depressing.

Women looking to work in these industries should see these figures as empowering. Awareness can change views. These are opportunities for women to break into these new markets. It might be a challenge to find someone out of the ordinary for roles in front of and behind the camera, but we need unique voices to keep movies alive.

Some fantastic films came out this year that told the stories of women, and by women including The Hunger Games, Wild, Maleficent, Selma, Cake, Gone Girl, Camp X Ray, Obvious Child, and more. If you want more films like those, get out there and make those movies.

• It's a Man's (Celluloid) World: On-Screen Representation of Female Characters in 2014
• Celluloid Ceiling: Behind the Scenes Employment in 2014
• The Hollywood Reporter - Major Film Roles for Women drop in 2014

87th Annual Academy Awards Wrapup

The 2014 award season is finally coming to an end, and last nights ceremony seemed to show that one topic was getting ripe on the vine; Hollywood sexism.

#AskHerMore

Reese Witherspoon

The night started before the ceremony with Reese Witherspoon, nominated for her role as lead actress in Wild, demanding one thing: #AskHerMore

The last few years, women have been showing a distinct annoyance with the Red Carpet treatment. Men who walk the red carpet get asked questions about their co-stars, their upcoming projects, philanthropy, anything really, women get ask a series of condescending questions about frivolous topics, usually clothes hair, nails, shoes, etc. 

Photo posted by @ReeseWitherspoon 

❤️ this movement #AskHerMore..have you heard of it? It's meant to inspire reporters to ask creative questions on the red carpet. I love the Oscars AND fashion like many of you - & am excited to share #WhoAmIWearing later tonight. (not yet!!) But I'd also love to answer some of these Qs....And hear your suggestions?! (Share em below!) There are so many amazing, talented nominees this year..! Let's hear their stories! Spread the word. #AskHerMore #Oscars #Countdown
@ReeseWitherspoon 

Last October at the Women in Hollywood event, Jennifer Garner compared notes to her husband, Ben Affleck who both had similar press junkets scheduled on the same day. She was asked questions about making time for her family, while he was asked about models.

Elizabeth Moss showed her frustration at the Golden Globes. She was asked to use the "E! Mani Cam" where famous celebrated women are asked to walk their fingers up a miniature red carpet "like children." While many other celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Julianne Moore, opted out, Moss received a lot of praise for showing the camera her manicure - on her middle finger. The Mani Cam did not reappear at this years Oscars.

The #Oscars red carpet is open! Let's #AskHerMore and re-direct the conversation!! 🙌🎉
— AmyPoehlerSmartGirls (@smrtgrls) February 22, 2015

Patricia Arquette 

Best Supporting Actress

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Patricia Arquette

And then of course, the scene stealer herself. Patricia Arquette. She won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Richard Linklater's Boyhood. A fantastic movie, and a fantastic role she spend 12 years filming. With a prepared speech, she hit some major talking points during the 30 seconds or so winners are given.

“To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s time to have wage equality once and for all. And equal rights for women in the United States of America.”

Congratulations Patricia. Very well said.

Julianne Moore 
Best Actress

Julianne Moore

One of our favorite women, Julianne Moore was also awarded an Oscar for her work in the moving drama, Still Alice. This was her fifth time nominated and her first win. She gave a beautiful speech as well.

"There is no such thing as Best Actress as evidenced by the performances of my fellow actresses."

We're with you, Julianne. Women supporting women is what the world needs more of.



Let us know what you thought of the 2015 Academy Awards in the comments below.

Further Reading...

• The Hollywood Reporter - Is Red Carpet Coverage Sexist?
• The Independent - #AskHerMore: Patricia Arquette, Reese Witherspoon and Julianne Moore back red carpet campaign to take women seriously

What to see this weekend

Do you want to see...

A female lead?

-The Duff
-The Last Five Years 

-Fifty Shades of Grey
-The Boy Next Door
-Jupiter Ascending

Written or co-written by a woman? 

-McFarland, USA
-Fifty Shades of Grey
-The Boy Next Door
-Jupiter Ascending

Directed by a woman?

-McFarland, USA
-Fifty Shades of Grey
-Jupiter Ascending

Review #42: Juno

Juno (2007)

Release Date: December 25th, 2007
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Jason Reitman

Logline: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child. (IMDb)
Comedy/Drama, 96 min.
Bechdel Test: Passed all three tests.


Review

I love this movie.

For a while that sentence was the whole review. I love the story, the characters, the writing. When it came out in 2007 it was so fresh and endearing. Not a whole lot has changed since then.

I hate describing this as a quirky comedy because I want every movie to be as confident and stylized as Juno. The Wes Anderson meets indy music video visual style hasn't really been successfully replicated since. Juno put both Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman on the map for their bold innovation. Cody showed a phenomenal range of characters, from the crass wit of High Schoolers Juno and Leah, to the prim and educated Vanessa and Mark. It's a movie that deals with teen pregnancy, abortion, relationships, abandonment, divorce, plenty of difficult issues without a hint of being preachy or judgmental.

The iconic scenes and lines that came from Juno are worth talking about alone.

-Juno swigging Sunny D and Rainn Wilson's "you're eggo is preggo." and "This is one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet." Come on. Every single person did an impression in their head immediately after those lines.
-Hamburger telephone. Worthy of getting a landline.
-"It's probably just a food baby." I've had food pregnancy before.
-Brenda telling off the ultrasound technician? What a great moment. No evil stepmother cliche just mama-claws ferocity.
-"They call me the cautionary whale" The image of preggers Juno walking the halls and the students parting like it's Moses and the red sea? What a great scene.
-"Thundercats are GO!"


Portrayal of Women: I love a movie that shows how bitches get stuff done without being an overt chick flick. Juno somehow managed to find that sweet spot of being a movie about girls supporting girls, without being patronizing or so boring that half the audience falls asleep. Juno makes her own decisions. She decides what to do with her body and what to do with her baby. Vanessa is a different kind of go-getter but hey she gets what she needs out of life even if it's not in a man-pleasing way. Bren and Leah? They are some fantastic supporting characters with their own personality and goals.

To see a film where there are two leading women have clear and present goals, and are basically the emotional core of the film? Oh, and that ISN'T a rom-com? That comes along once every few years at best. Juno is kind of an important film in that respect.

Sisterhood Moment: Despite all the fantastic moments Juno has with her friends that I could endlessly laugh about, it comes down to the ending for me. Juno writing that note for Vanessa? Come on, that's a REAL sisterhood moment. Juno and Vanessa both had their plans fall apart, but they still supported each other.

Rating: 5 feet of twizzlers and a jumbo blue slushie for good measure.

IMDb - Juno (7.6)
Wikipedia - Juno
Rotten Tomatoes - Juno (94%)

What's on TV this week?

This week in television is sort of an in between of great specials and shows for sweeps, while other favorites are still on hiatus for another two weeks. Here's what we are excited for.

Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul Monday's on AMC

Yup, this is going to be a good one. Everyone on the planet watched Breaking Bad, so it comes as no surprise that this has already been greenlit for a second season before the pilot even aired. Better Call Saul regularly airs Monday nights on AMC, but the premiere episode aired Sunday night February 8th, with the second airing in it's regular timeslot on February 9th.

Aside from being a fantastic show that I'm sure everyone will watch anyways, the Breaking Bad-Better Call Saul clan has supported some fantastic women writers and directors, including Michelle MacLaren, director of Monday nights episode #2,  who has been tapped to direct the upcoming Wonder Woman project.

Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special. 

SNL 40th Anniversary Special airing Sunday on NBC

There's going to be 3 hours of Saturday Night Live with every cast member, every guest host, and every musical guest over the last 40 years invited. I'll give you a few minutes if you need to go freshen up.

There's also be a red carpet special leading up to what can only be described as "the event." Also, despite the confusing name, a compilation episode of SNL will air for Valentines day on Saturday February 14th in it's regular timeslot, while the actual Anniversary Special is airing Sunday evening on February 15th.

Cougar Town

Cougar Town Tuesdays on TBS

Cougar Town is that weird show that almost nobody watched as it aired on ABC and then it moved to TBS where even less people watched it. This Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) show stars Courtney Cox (Friends) and a bunch of people who drink wine all day and are delightfully entertaining. It's one of those shows that ABC loves to make with a name that insults it's targeted audience, but don't be deterred, Cougar Town is self deprecating enough to poke fun at itself. It's also one of those shows that's had cancellation looming overhead since season 1, so very early on they lose any restraint and fully embrace weird stories and in-jokes. 

If you're trying to escape the frigid winter via the magic of television, this show might hit the spot. It's funny, it's light and fluffy and it's set in Florida, so you can dream of tan-lines. 

Sadly, Cougar Town only has 8 episodes left to air! If you want to watch, it airs tonight, February 10th on TBS. The series finale will be Tuesday, March 31st, so mark your calendars.


What shows are you planning on catching up with this week?

What to see this weekend

Do you want to see...

A female lead?

-The Last Five Years 

-Fifty Shades of Grey
-The Boy Next Door
-Jupiter Ascending

Written or co-written by a woman? 

-Fifty Shades of Grey
-The Boy Next Door
-Jupiter Ascending

Directed by a woman?

-Fifty Shades of Grey
-Jupiter Ascending

Review #41: Elaine Stritch: Shoot me

Release Date: April 19, 2013
Director: Chiema Karasawa

Logline: The uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is showcased both on and off stage via rare archival footage and intimate cinema vérité.

Review

I didn’t know much about Elaine Stritch before watching this film, all I knew was that she was Jack’s mom on 30 Rock and the lady who swore on the Today Show. By the end of the film, I had completely fallen in love with her.  She is a legend for a reason and that reason is her rare ability to be difficult and absolutely enchanting at the same time. She had amazing talent, she spoke her mind, and she didn’t wear pants – can you get any better than that?

This is one of my favourite documentaries that I’ve ever seen. It lets us observe Stritch’s daily routine as she struggles with alcoholism and diabetes while preparing for performances, but also tells the story of her successful and interesting career.  It’s heartbreaking to see her so frail and sick but also completely full of joy as we see her determination, gratitude and spark shine through.  Her relationship with her pianist Rob is also a real highlight. If you love inspirational ladies, this is a movie for you.

At the time of filming, Elaine was 87 and although she was still successfully performing, her age and health issues were taking their toll. My favourite moment of the film came when she forgot her lyrics in the middle of a show. What could have been an embarrassing turned into a moment of honesty, hilarity and magic. She showed that mistakes are the perfect opportunity to find a laugh and I love that.

Other things I learned from Elaine

• It’s okay to use a paper bag as a purse
• Sometimes you have to date someone simply because they’re much too attractive to leave behind (this happened to her with JFK)
• Know what you want and go for it
• Even legends get scared sometimes
• Speak your mind and be confident that what you have to say matters
• Everybody’s got a sack of rocks
• The key to happiness is accepting and respecting yourself

Portrayal of Women: Obviously this is a movie celebrating the life of a woman and her many accomplishments. I love how it perfectly demonstrates how wonderful Elaine was even though she wasn't necessarily nice all the time. The film captures her complexity as a performer and as a woman in a compelling way.

Sisterhood Moment: I'm sure we've all thought of the benefits of chewing food and spitting it out as a way to curb weight gain. 

I can’t recommend this documentary enough. You can’t truly appreciate Elaine’s feistiness until you see her in action. She was often described as a force of nature, and that’s a fitting description.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Bay's English Muffins




IMDb - Elaine Stritch Shoot Me (7.5)
Wikipedia - Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me
Rotten Tomatoes - Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (98%)

Review on the Side: Wild

Release Date: December 19th, 2014
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Writer: Nick Hornby (Based on the novel by Cheryl Strayed)
Bechdel Test: Passed all three tests.

Last night I cleaned my kitchen. Took a nice hot bath. Made cup of tea. Got in my PJ's, with blankies and my puppy on the couch, ready for snuggles. Then I turned on this movie and was unable to look away.

I highly recommend anyone else who wants to watch this film to do the same. Not only was it a nice Sunday night, this movie is highly deserving of your focus and attention. And you will probably also need something to snuggle.

Wild follows the story of Cheryl Strayed as she hikes across the west coast of the United States via the Pacific Crest Trail. It's a story of her learning to deal with her past, as the journey on the hiking trail reflects the journey her life took to get to this point. You might even call the hike the b-plot because the "flashbacks" are really the focus of the film.

There is really something wonderful about the relatability of Cheryl in this film. Women are so often portrayed as either strong and cold, or weak and flirtatious. This is as close to the female "every-man" as I've seen on screen. Her character reflects the way people are composed of contradictions. She's a character full of love, compassion, and empathy, but also makes selfish and impulsive decisions. She struggles to deal with things that are hard to deal with. She doesn't have the answers. She has to make hard mistakes to figure out who she is. So rarely are women given the opportunities to see those stories told on film, even though this one made for one fantastic film.
Reese Witherspoon is vulnerable and raw, but also optimistic. She brings so much dimension to this already complex character. Laura Dern is undeniably charming, as she often is on screen. Her moments in the film are brief but haunting. I've always felt like she was an underrated actress. I think Jean-Marc Vallee brought out some quality performances from the cast.

So yes, I highly recommend Wild. It fits somewhere outside the normal convention of film. It's a drama that isn't agonizing. It's a female-driven film that doesn't dwell in romance. It's a biographical memoir told in an unconventional way. This is what I like about independent films. Sometimes going just a few steps outside of the 'expectations box' can lead to wonderful things.
(X-post from Sarah Does Movies)

Rating: 4.5/5
IMDb - Wild (7.3)