In more recent years the film industry has seen a much-needed shift in diversity in front and behind the camera. Women have always played a large role in the filmmaking process yet their contributions behind the scenes – whether that's as a director or writer – have often been pushed aside. However, in recent years of filmmaking, there has been shoplifting in the right direction, giving women more of a platform to pursue directorship as well as becoming part of writing teams. The results of having a women's perspective represented can allow for unique narratives, new visual styles, and a rich approach to storytelling in general. The real question is: How does a woman's perspective change the way a film is made? It's vital to understand how important female voices can be on a set especially if the key characters are women who are living complex lives.
One area in which a woman's perspective can influence a narrative is when they can convey the emotional depth of a character. Stereotypically women are more likely to be able to depict a multi-dimensional character, especially a female protagonist who may have struggles and desires, in a more intimate way.
An amazing representation of this is the work of Greta Gerwig, specifically in Lady Bird (2017). This coming-of-age film is not about having a dramatic plot twist, or an intense fight scene but it is to depict the emotions of the main character, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson. She is a young adult trying to go through life without getting knocked down too hard; this character would not have been represented as well with a male gaze. Understanding adolescents, relationships, and the complicated relationship between a mother and her daughter is vital to making this film connect deeply with its viewership. Greta Gerwig is a very well-known director who makes sure her voice is heard in these spaces, even if she has to be louder than the other noise. Her direction in all her films but especially Lady Bird is a representation of how a woman's perspective can make a film what it is, in the best ways possible.
Women filmmakers also bring a distinct visual style that reflects a woman's unique worldview. Female directors and cinematographers are more willing to experiment with colour, movement and framing in more accurate ways – that align more with the emotion in a film. An example of this is in the film Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) dir. Céline Sciamma is about a forbidden love between two women. This film is comprised of long takes, and a muted colour palate to evoke the intensity it deserves while allowing viewers to feel the weight of this memory over time. Sciamma uses careful manipulation of visual tension that reflects how the characters are feeling in these tense moments, from a woman's perspective. All of this can tell a story of its own – one of the female experiences of isolation, desire, and a forbidden connection.
The increasing appearance of women behind the camera is an important shift that is transforming the film industry in major ways. They offer new perspectives in visual style and complex narratives –female filmmakers bring a new and unique approach to these things, allowing for richer storytelling. As we have seen in the works of Greta Gerwig and Céline Sciamma, having a woman's viewpoint can shape the emotional tone of a film, offering audiences a deeper connection to the stories that may have been swept under the rug otherwise. The industry is moving closer to becoming a field that is more vastly diverse and inclusive, using all voices in filmmaking regardless of gender. These women should be celebrated for taking action, making films that can connect to their chosen audience more deeply and being vulnerable while doing so.
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