The women directors who make Hollywood

Lights, Camera, Action: The WOMEN Directors who make HollYwood

It has been well discussed over the past few years, ever since the Harvey Weinstein allegations and the founding of the TimesUp movement, that women behind the scenes in Hollywood are not afforded the same and the industry for the future...

Born in Nairobi, then a British colony, Gurinder Chadha‘s family moved to London in the sixties. Whilst growing up, her father, in particular, faced extreme prejudice for his appearance as he was a Sikh Indian wearing a turban and a be life she experienced when she was younger. Films like Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice explore the relations between two seemingly different cultures. From an early age, Chadha cast off some of the more traditional aspects of her life, refusing to learn how to cook and to wear traditional clothing, as she felt it was oppressive for the women to be bustling around whilst the men sat. Chadha sat with the men and was largely outspoken. Chadha career started creating factual entertainment for radio and then moved decided she wanted to create her own stories rather than report on another. Like room, so she created her own, opening her own production company. family as a means of exploring broader social criticisms surrounding one‘s herit the tone they create, Chadha said she feels it is her job to challenge and subvert expectations.

Chloé Zhao does not have a vast body of work under her belt yet. But what she has made so far are beautifully crafted, intimate and insightful stories of people marginalised by society. Zhao is making waves with Nomadland and is widely expected to win Best Director during awards season, meaning that she would be only the second woman to win the award if she were to win. Zhao was born in Beijing. She has described herself as a lazy student and loving movies and was drawn to western pop culture. Her parents sent her to high school in England, and she later attended college in the States. She studied political science but decided whilst working in a bar, she king was the right path for her after being turned off by politics. She then pursued Film Production at the Tisch School of Arts in New York. Zhao each project having a personal resonance or the desire to seem personal. Songs My Brothers taught Me, Zhao became inspired after reading a news story about the worrying levels of teen suicide on the reservation next to Pine Ridge. With the help of a producer, Zhao travelled to Pine Ridge and began interviewing and banging on doors, meeting people to hear their stories rather than write based on assumptions. The cast was also made of non-pro actors. Authenticity is at the heart of all her projects. Zhao‘s next venture seems a world away (literally) from her indie roots, helming Marvel‘s next super team, The Eternals shows Zhao has a voice that has reached the top of Hollywood. Ava DuVernay has become one of the most multifaceted directors working in Hollywood, turning her hand to many different genres, including historical dramas and fantasy adventure. DuVernay began her career as a journalist and was assigned to cover the OJ Simpson trial, but This Is The Life Middle of Nowhere was one of these scripts, and when funding was gathered, it was presented at the Sundance Film Festi woman to win the prize. Selma nominated in that category.

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Curated by Phoebe Walker. Illustration by Syuzu Chen (@rosychenart)