Consider These Female Directors
A er a banner year, will the Academy Awards celebrate more women lmmakers?
History was made last Oscar season, with two women getting nominated for best director, yet the upcoming awards race doesn’t have the depth of female voices we would hope for following such a banner year — at least in terms of what the Academy typically chooses. But there are strong contenders in the mix.
At the top of the list is Jane Campion with her Western drama “The Power of the Dog.” It’s the only film to make stops at each fall festival, yet one of the uncertainties is that it may not translate to casual Netflix viewers. However, it snagged a runner-up spot at the Toronto International Film Festival, which shows its resonance with audiences.
With ’s “The Piano,” Campion became just the second woman nominated for directing (she won for original screenplay). The streamer hopes to seal the deal for the New Zealand filmmaker this year with what many consider her top cinematic outing. If she is nominated for best director, she will become the first woman to receive a second nod in the category over the course of her career.
Netflix has an impressive slate of female visionaries. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter,” which stars Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley and Dakota Johnson, is a remarkable debut. First-time actors-turned-directors have had success with the Academy, such as Kevin Costner with “Dances With Wolves” (). However, as in the case of Regina King last year with “One Night in Miami,” the branch can make an actor-turned-director “pay their dues,” no matter how extraordinary the entry.
Nonetheless, Gyllenhaal will be a formidable contender in adapted screenplay, alongside Campion.
Rebecca Hall astounds with her drama “Passing,” starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January . The film is a dense and meticulous study of mixed Black Americans “passing” in the s; the black-and-white palette by cinematographer Eduard Grau and fleeting run time could lift Hall into the first-time director conversation at the DGA Awards. Halle Berry will be hoping for the same, directing herself in the boxing drama “Bruised,” which screened in Toronto in .
After surprising many by winning the Palme d’or at the Cannes Film Festival, Neon’s “Titane” is making its rounds on the festival circuit, highlighting the talents of director Julia Ducournau. While the graphic and disturbing imagery will be a hurdle, the directors branch has a history of nominating more experimental auteurs.
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“CODA” from co-writer and director Sian Heder is a feel-good entry that could get lots of attention with the right campaign behind it. Given the brilliant cast, including Oscar winner Marlee Matlin in consideration for supporting actress, Heder’s prospects could build as regional prizes weigh in.
Chloé Zhao was the second woman and first woman of color to win best director, for “Nomadland.” She’ll have another anticipated entry with the superhero film “Eternals” from Marvel Studios, but not many are expecting it to factor in the Oscar race.
Other films from women helmers might be worth the consideration, including Mia Hansen-løve’s “Bergman Island” from IFC Films, Eva Husson’s WWI romance “Mothering Sunday” from Sony Pictures Classics, Emma Seligman’s coming-of-age story “Shiva Baby” from Utopia, Janicza Bravo’s stripper dramedy “Zola” from A¡ and Lana Wachowski’s return to Zion in the “Matrix Resurrections” sequel from Warner Bros.