Recently, women in Hollywood have made headlines, and many of the stories haven’t appeared complimentary to the film industry. Looking beyond, however, it seems that the present is a fantastic time for women in movies. More opportunities, recognition and increased salaries are helping women move to the top alongside their male counterparts.
Women Recognized in Leadership Roles
In 1982, Kathleen Kennedy made her production debut with Stephen Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, helping to pave the way for women working in behind-the-scenes roles. Heather Parry produced the award-winning 2018 remake of A Star Is Born, as well as the hit documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two. Patty Jenkins directed Wonder Woman, the story of a powerful, independent female superhero, and Disney’s Jennifer Lee was the writer/director responsible for Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen and Frozen 2.
Women Appearing in Traditionally Male-Cast Roles
In 2019, some of the most highly-anticipated films featured women. Following the successes of recent female superheroes, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel made over $1 billion in box office sales as of April 2019. Netflix’s Always Be My Maybe, directed by Nahnatchka Khan (daughter of Iranian-immigrant parents) and starring Ali Wong and Daniel Dae Kim (Asian-American actors), broke numerous minority barriers.
Closing the Equality Gap Between Men and Women
Hollywood is probably no different than other industries in regards to inequality in the treatment between men and women, and it appears that it is at least being addressed. The 2018 Academy Awards provided actress Frances McDormand with a platform to advocate for inclusion riders. Jessica Chastain negotiated a salary equal to her own for her colleague, Octavia Spencer, after discovering that Spencer was being paid about five times less for acting in a film that Chastain was producing.
Women are speaking up, defending their rights, demanding inclusion and celebrating their strengths. They have the public’s attention, and Hollywood seems to be listening. This trend could lead to a promising future for women in the movie industry.
