As Hollywood wrings its hands about how to make more movies about women, featuring women in the leads, and creatively controlled by women, the answer is pretty simple: just make them. It means that studio executives need to expand their ways of thinking when it comes to greenlighting movies, and filmmakers need to be conscious about gender representation in their movies. It also means that people are going to be more vocal when they see people with influence not making an impact where they should.
During her acceptance speech at the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards, Elizabeth Banks called out one of the most famous directors in the world for not having more women at the center of his pictures.
“I went to ‘Indiana Jones‘ and ‘Jaws‘ and every movie Steven Spielberg ever made, and by the way, he’s never made a movie with a female lead. Sorry, Steven. I don’t mean to call your ass out but it’s true,” she said.
As quibblers have pointed out, 1974’s “The Sugarland Express” starred Goldie Hawn, 1985’s “The Color Purple” starred Whoopi Goldberg, and last year’s “The BFG” was led by Ruby Barnhill. And yes, Spielberg’s upcoming “The Papers” will be led by Meryl Streep (and Tom Hanks). But by and large, Banks does have a point, and while we’d wouldn’t suggest directors should take gigs to tick marks on a diversity checklist, it’s not unreasonable to ask filmmakers at the stature of Spielberg, to perhaps think a bit harder about what kind of role women (or people of color) play in their pictures.
It’s also up to the audience to make sure studios see the financial incentive of going to films made by or starring women, another point that Banks drives home. “Buy a fucking ticket to a movie with a woman, take them, give them the experience of seeing amazing women on film,” she said.
Banks’ comments have sparked plenty of discussions, so let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Update 06/16: Elizabeth Banks has issued an apology about her comments
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) June 15, 2017