The Evolution of Women in Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Evolution of Women in Film - Essay Example 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 a 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%. This article aims to study the role of women in the film industry on both sides of a camera through years. Several powerful women film producers like, Alice Guy Blache and Eva Le Gallienne, a producer, actress, and director during the 20th century have played a vital role in the 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. Today women are more prominent on both sides of the 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.