The article discusses the historical marginalization of women in the film industry, particularly as it gained prestige and economic value. Initially, women played crucial behind-the-scenes roles in early cinema but were progressively sidelined. Pioneers like Lois Weber and Alice Guy-Blache were overlooked as the industry evolved. The article highlights the rarity of female directors, noting milestones such as Lina Wertmuller's 1977 nomination for Best Director. Additionally, it announces a retrospective for Mai Zetterling, a significant yet underrated figure whose work sparked debates on art, gender, and societal issues in the 1960s.
The most egalitarian professions are often the ones "no one wants to work in"—meaning no one who can easily do better. Early cinema saw significant female involvement behind the camera, but as film gained prestige, women were marginalized.
Once film became recognized as a permanent and profitable medium, women like Lois Weber and Alice Guy-Blache, who were pivotal in early cinema, were hastily shown the door.
It wasn't until 1977 that Italy's Lina Wertmuller became the first-ever woman nominated for the Best Director Oscar; another 26 years passed for an American candidate.
The retrospective "Swedish Outsider: The Films of Mai Zetterling" highlights an underappreciated director whose works engaged with critical issues of her time, challenging old norms in art and gender.
Collection
[
|
...
]