I Am Woman: The Women We Love Who Work in Film 

In the year of our lord 2022, women working in film still come up against many struggles. In 2021, women made up 25% of directors, writers, producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 grossing films. Although this is an increase on previous years, it still isn’t enough. 

While there is still a long way to go, there are many women who are breaking boundaries and making space in the world of cinema, and today we’re going to celebrate some of our favourite women working in film. 

On Screen

Jane Fonda: Actress/Activist

Jane Fonda has been acting since 1960, both on stage and on the screen. From her first role on screen in Tall Story, to some of her more iconic roles in films such as Klute and Youth, Fonda has graced our screens and stolen our hearts many times. She has become a household name not only for her roles in Hollywood, but for her activism. 

A daughter of privilege and a fine acting lineage, she uses her voice and power to try and bring light to some of the more pressing issues, both in the past and today. A public voice in opposition to the war in Vietnam, a longtime supporter of the Civil Rights movement, and more recently taking a stand with Fire Drill Fridays, Fonda has always used her privilege to stand up for people, and isn’t a stranger to handcuffs and mugshots. 

Jane Fonda is iconic as an actress and an activist, and at 84 years old, she shows no signs of stopping!

Octavia Spencer: A Loving Inspiration

Actress. Author. Producer. Is there anything that Octavia Spencer cannot do? As an actress, she is phenomenal and can take on any role. As an author, she is whimsical and fun. Everything she does is genius and filled with love. 

Her success doesn’t mean she’s taken a backseat in being outspoken. She is a strong voice in fighting for more spaces for women of colour in the arts. Whilst there is a rise of women in film, there is still a lack of space for women of colour, and Spencer is a big voice in trying to find more diverse roles in Hollywood. 

Everything Spencer does is full of love and passion, and she is not only a favourite, but she is truly an enjoyable and gifted actress who we all love to see on screen. 

Julianne Moore: Changing Faces

As at home in a blockbuster as she is in an independent film, Julianne Moore is beloved by all. After making her acting debut in 1984, Moore has shown us just how versatile she is as an actress. Some of her more memorable films include The Big Lebowski, Still Alice, and Far From Heaven. She is not only an expert at conveying emotion, but also bringing a sense of realism to her roles. 

There’s something instantly likeable about Moore, and she has become an international sweetheart. A skilled actress and an avid activist, Moore is an icon who will forever be able to win us over. 

Michelle Yeoh: A True Icon

There aren’t many people in this world who can boast the career that Michelle Yeoh can; first as a ballet dancer, then a pageant queen, then one of the finest actresses. She is a multi talented force that is instantly recognisable, and captures your attention fully when she appears on screen. 

Yeoh combines on-set training with her skill as a dancer to bring a beautiful style to the martial arts and stunts that she still does herself. Graceful and fierce are two of the best ways to describe her performance style, and it’s truly a beautiful experience whenever she’s in a scene. 

Not only is she a fantastic actress, but she’s also a strong activist for many causes. A UNDP Goodwill Ambassador who has also fought for many just causes. HIV/AIDS awareness, disaster relief, animal conservation, and poverty reduction are just some of the causes she has advocated for in the past. Michelle Yeoh is a true icon and hero; both on and off the screen. 

Alaqua Cox: A Rising Star

Although Alaqua Cox only has one credit to her name, it’s easy to see that she is going places. She’s fearsome on screen, and has a commanding presence that is on par with some of the more established and well known actors that she works with. 

Her breakthrough role came as Echo in Marvel’s Hawkeye, and she already has her own web series that is due to start filming this year. Having a Deaf actress play a Deaf character really does make all the difference, and makes the show better. 

But it’s not just her talent that makes Alaqua Cox an indomitable new force in the acting world; she’s representative of such an underrepresented people in Hollywood, and hopefully this is a sign of change for the better. 

Behind the Camera: 

Rachel Morrison: Breaking the Celluloid Ceiling

In 2017, Rachel Morrison made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated for an academy award for cinematography. This is an award that has been present since 1929, so it’s no easy task for her to have gone up against such a male dominated category. 

She has a beautiful and unique style that is able to capture the subtleties and emotions of the films. She has a variety to her style which helps to encapsulate all the feelings of the characters and the setting. A real visionary who will truly be a force in the cinematography world for years to come. 

Ava DuVernay: Making History

It would be easier for us to list the things that Ava DuVernay cannot do. An incredibly talented writer, director, and producer who has many  achievements to her name. When we think about African American women working in film today, DuVernay is one of the first names that springs to mind for her beautiful talent, and for her many accomplishments. 

The first African American woman to win the Sundance Film Festival Directing Award for Middle of Nowhere,  and the fist to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director, as well as an Academy Award for Best Picture for Selma. These are just some of the things that DuVernay has managed to accomplish in what can be considered a relatively short career. 

Her style is unique and emotive; she doesn’t shy away from the darker, grittier stories, and really knows how to use a story to talk to the audience. She is incredibly skilled at making the audience see and understand what the true messages of her films are, and it is done with such style and beauty. All of her projects are incredible, and I for one am always excited to see what DuVernay has to offer.  

Jane Campion: An Icon with a Camera 

The first woman to be nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Director. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Piano. The first female filmmaker to receive the Palm d’Or for The Piano. These are just some of the accomplishments that highlight Jane Campion as an iconic filmmaker. 

She explores sexuality, tension, and isn’t afraid to make the audience experience the discomfort of the characters. She doesn’t shy away from covering darker topics, and has an excellent way of portraying female sexuality on the screen. Her films are sensual, tense, and expose the darker sides of human nature. Her style is echoes the real world so closely, and this adds to the intriguing uneasiness of her films.

Chloé Zhao: Shaking Things Up

The first woman of colour to win best director and best motion picture at the Oscars, among many other awards, Chloé Zhao is showing the world how to make films in a new way. 

Nomadland is an excellent example of a realistic character study, and Zhao expertly utilises fantastic actors and non-actors to create a fully believe tale of struggle. It’s clear to see not only the craftsmanship, but the genuine love that Zhao pours into her work. And with Eternals finally changing the mould for Marvel films, it’s easy to see why she has become a very well respected filmmaker. Zhao is an expert in exploring the characters and blending them with the setting. She has a talent for making you feel so connected to what is happening on screen, and keeping you immersed in that world.

Domee Shi: Moving Forward

Although Domee Shi is just breaking through as a director, she has worked as a storyboard artist on some of our favourite Pixar films, including Inside Out and The Incredibles 2. 

In addition to her work as a storyboard artist, she has also directed one of the sweetest and most emotional Pixar shorts in recent years. Bao was a beautiful story that was told in a simple yet emotive way, and it was also the first Pixar short to be directed by a woman. 

Shi’s feature length directorial debut, Turning Red,  will be released later this week and early reviews are incredibly positive. From her previous work, we can see the love and care that Shi takes with her stories, and it’s refreshing to see films that are more diverse and incredibly charming. From here, Shi can only move up, and it’s exciting to see what she’ll do in the future. 

The Women We Will Always Love: 

The Golden Girls

There are no words that can express the sheer love and admiration that these women have from the world. The TV show is beloved by many around the globe, and will always be a show that warms our hearts, whilst also tackling issues that are, unfortunately, still present in today’s society. 

A show that’s still as progressive now as it was then, with the girls advocating for LGBTQ rights, and as HIV/AIDS activists, they still give us lessons today that are invaluable and speak to everyone. Although they have all left us, they will forever remain close to our hearts. 

Lucille Ball

A name that is as famous as can be, and for good reason, Lucille Ball was not only adored for her TV show, but she was a groundbreaking presence as a produce in male dominated TV at the time. She showed the world that women were funny, intelligent, and could run the show. Lucille Ball will always be beloved by the masses, for everything she has done for women in filmmaking. 

Ida Lupino

The most prominent woman working in Hollywood in the 50s, Ida Lupino was a successful actress and director, and also owned her own independent production company. It’s not only her achievements in these areas, but the subject matter of the films she produces. Unwed pregnancies, rape, and paralysing illnesses are just some of the topics covered. Progressive and unafraid to take what she wanted, Ida Lupino is a force that has helped women to progress in filmmaking. 

Breaking Through for the Future 

Whilst there is still a long way to go before there is a level of equality in the film industry, it’s good to see that there are so many amazing women and women of colour who are finding their space in this industry, and opening the doors for the women of the future. 

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