About time: Netflix has finally made a category for FEMALE directors
Netflix has finally introduced a category exclusively for female directors, and we could not be happier.
One glance over the brand new grouping has made it abundantly clear that movies and TV shows created by women are complex and truly special.
From the post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box directed by Susanne Bier, rom-com Dumplin’ directed by Anne Fletcher, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before from Susan Johnson, to comedy specials like Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette and Relatable from Ellen Degeneres; it's obvious that compelling works by women are insanely binge-worthy.
A coming-of-age teen romcom film with a main Asian female protagonist, a female director and a female author on Netflix? To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018) is exactly that. pic.twitter.com/LjAKyOX9IX
— femme fatale (@eliesaaab) August 18, 2018
Netflix’s recognition of the importance of the work from female filmmakers couldn’t come at a more crucial time.
The Oscars will announce their nominations for 2019 next week, and the abysmal shutout of female directors is likely to continue.
Only FIVE women have ever been nominated in the Best Director category, and Kathryn Bigelow remains the only winner.
2- RACHEL MORRISON: American cinematographer. She was the first woman to ever be nominated for an Oscar in cinematography, an ASC Outstanding Achievement Award and to win the NY Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematography, all for the film Mudbound, in 2018. pic.twitter.com/0fswiiV7Mk
—(@luminescencial) January 17, 2019
Despite the success of Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, action remains the genre most closed off to women, with just 13% female directors.
Women made up just 4% of directors and 3% of cinematographers in 2018's top 100 highest-grossing film.
Rachel Morrison was the cinematographer for Black Panther, but it's all the way down at number 34 where you can find A Wrinkle in Time helmed by Ava DuVernay.