The Evolution of Women in Film - Essay Example

s 23 August 2009 Evolution of women in film Introduction From the beginning, cinema has been considered as a medium of men. Women were always given less important roles and were not an integral part of cinema. Though we have women in top management position in almost all fields in film industry we have only 6% women directors in the whole world and in America it is only 7%1. This article aims to study the role of women in film industry on both sides of camera through years. Women in different roles Women were part of film field from emergence of this industry itself.

Several powerful women film producers like, Alice Guy Blache and Eva Le Gallienne, a producer, actress and director during 20th century have played vital role in history of films. June Mathis was a prominent screenwriter and producer during the period. During 1930's Dorothy Arzner was the only women director to make hits. In 50's Shirley Clarke from America and Joyce Wieland directed several experimental films. It was during 1960's that feminist films began. Most successful was 'Wanda', a portrait of alienation by Barbara Loden.

Directors like Barbara Hammer tried to visualize female sexuality from a women's point of view. Even with such eminent artists an Academy award or an Oscar or a Directors Guild's top honor was never awarded to a woman director or a women cinematographer 2. Even with so many renowned women directors only 7% directors of Britain are women. Conclusion Today women are more prominent on both sides of camera. Even from Iran there are about 11 women film directors3. Works of these women are shown at almost all film festivals like Cannes, but only a few are awarded or even recognized.

References CHRISTY LEMIRE (2007). Women Directors Shine; Numbers Still Low. The Associated Press, Wednesday, August 1, 2007. Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080100442.html WOMEN IN CINEMA: A REFERENCE GUIDE, Philip F. McEldowney, philipmc@virginia.edu, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SITE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, ORIGINALLY DECEMBER, 1994. Link: http://people.virginia.edu/pm9k/libsci/womFilm.html#bibWom Viv Groskop , The Guardian, Wednesday 20 May 2009 .

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/may/20/profile-women-film-directors E. Ann Kaplan. Women and film: both sides of the camera. Link: http://books.google.com/booksid=65cOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA239&lpg=PA239&dq=evolution+of+women+in+film&source=bl&ots=fgxMMdUQrK&sig=fIGqBTAO1sNZVAmMSSbxrmKLgcI&hl=en&ei=DVmJSsD8GaXU6gPTqoGDAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false Viv Groskop , The Guardian, Wednesday 20 May 2009 . Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/may/20/profile-women-film-directors