When I read the Oscar nominees for last year’s films I didn’t feel disappointment, I felt anger. I read them so quickly that I initially missed that there was one female director nominated. BUT JUST ONE?!? When Barbie beat everyone in the box office (highest grossing film of 2023), charmed critics, and appealed to all ages, genders, and backgrounds? Why wasn’t Greta Gerwig nominated for her role as director? Celine Song for Past Lives? Or just last year Sarah Polley for Women Talking? I have a running list of excellent movies directed by women that came out in 2022 and 2023 which I recommend. They range from gripping suspense to cutting comedy. Do I think it’s great that Ryan Gosling got the nomination given his clever, on the mark Ken? Yes. But even Gosling had to call out this disparity.

On more positive notes, I am thrilled that Justine Triet made it to the best director list for Anatomy of a Fall which was my favorite movie of the year. I love that Sterling K. Brown (who did such impeccable work in American Crime Story as well) was nominated for his scene stealing role in American Fiction. Lily’s Gladstone’s historic nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon is fantastic and well deserved (great to see Carey Mulligan and Sandra Hüller recognized as well for stand out performances).

This is an important issue not just because women direct excellent movies. I know it’s stating the obvious, but it’s the same reason why it’s critical for women to be represented in positions of authority and leadership. Young people (not just girls!) benefit from this. Arts and culture influence society. When something that is just and fair is the norm, it makes us all better. It isn’t only about combating the male gaze. It’s about elevating voices that have been suppressed and controlled for generations.

My recommendation to everyone who is similarly frustrated with this issue is to GO SEE MOVIES DIRECTED BY WOMEN!!! Seek them out. Tell other people about them. And in addition, support movies directed by women of color, gay women, people with disabilities, and movies that tell stories of underrepresented people! If we see these movies, more will be made. I recently found out that one of my favorite older movies, American Psycho, was directed by a woman (something not on my radar 20+ years ago).

Recommended recent list: 

  • Anatomy of a fall 
  • Women Talking
  • Barbie
  • Priscilla
  • Bottoms 
  • Theater Camp
  • Joy Ride 
  • Past Lives
  • She Said
  • Aftersun
  • The Royal Hotel

 On my list to see:

  • Woman King
  • Saltburn
  • Promising Young Woman
  • The Farewell
  • Selma

Movies you may have missed (or need to rewatch!) in the last 20+ years:

  • American Psycho
  • The Matrix
  • Lady Bird
  • Clueless
  • The Hurt Locker
  • Boys Don’t Cry
  • Nomadland

But there are so many more. And if we support women directors, the tide will change. I hope for a day when it wouldn’t be a shock for all 5 Best Director nominations to be women. Do we all know that the Oscars do not define quality or success? Yes (and quite the contrary sometimes). But it’s the biggest forum for recognition, the highest honor in an industry that often leads the way in cultural trends. I love Martin Scorsese, but for Christopher Nolan to be nominated over Greta Gerwig for a film that disproportionately represented white men seems like a crime worth mentioning.

*to quote an all time Great – Jennifer Lopez, who was also snubbed by the Academy.