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
He’s never made a movie with a dolphin lead either! What an asshole!
Are you intentionally missing the point?
No, but obviously you are.
If you wanna see more female centric movies,go fucking make them. Stop demanding!
She did. She made one of the highest grossing movies of 2015. Featuring an all-women cast. But you’re right, we should stop voicing concerns about the lack of diversity in film. Just let it work itself out. Makes total sense.
She apologized for that remarks.
He also made Always with Holly Hunter.
Surprise, surprise. Spielberg doesn’t choose the stories he tells based on the gender of the leading role. Don’t see why he – or anyone who isn’t a social justice warrior – should.
And Kevin, “by and large” her point was based on a mistake – Spielberg has made female-led movies. The Sugarland Express, The Color Purple, Always and The BFG (the latter two you don’t mention – oh, I’m pointing another oversight. That makes me a “quibbler”).
Ha. Now she has been forced to apologize. Not only that, but by forgetting The Color Purple, she is being accused of slighting African American women. Hahaha. I love when these social justice warriors turn on themselves and get caught in their own PC games. She also said at one point that Spielberg only produced The Color Purple and didn’t direct it. Does she know anything about film? I’m guessing we won’t see her in a Spielberg film in the future.
Didn’t The BFG have a female lead? That was his last film.
JoBeth Williams was absolutely the lead in “Poltergeist”, which was written by Spielberg.