I’ve been reading the dispatches from Cannes. Two of the three female directors with films in competition have already screened, Fish Tank directed by Andrea Arnold and Bright Star directed by Jane Campion. Isabel Coixet’s film Map of the Sounds of Tokyo still needs to screen.
The reviews for Arnold’s film seemed good but there was very little news about it except for the comments on the breakout performance from non actor Katie Jarvis. Maybe it didn’t get the attention because it was about a teenage girl, and maybe Arnold is just not a big enough name to generate the press that other directors can.
Jane Campion got some great attention for her “comeback” film since she hasn’t made one in six years. (Her own choice. She wanted to spend time with her daughter.) One of the criticisms of the film is that it is not “sexy” enough. At her press conference Campion used the opportunity to talk about the lack of women directors and challenged women to have a tougher skin. Good buzz but nothing over the top.
Then something happened. The guys arrived and took over. What I find so interesting is how some of the male directors are making news about themselves as directors, and as people. The egos on these guys are gargantuan.
Here’s what I mean, Lars Von Trier made a great movie Breaking the Waves and another one that I found unwatcheable Dogville among others, arrived at Cannes with his controverisal film Antichrist. At the press conference for the film he declared himself “the best film director in the world.”
Quentin Tarantino has also had some hits and misses followed and declared himself god in this statement about his film Inglourious Basterds: “I love [my characters] from this god perspective because I am god as far as the characters are concerned, because I created them.”
I just find these comments so bizarre and laughable and don’t think any woman director would ever declare herself the best film director or god. I hope that both Von Trier and Tarantino comments were greeted with chuckles. I wonder what would happen if a woman director said either one of those comments. I bet that it wouldn’t be all over the web in the same way both these guys comments are.
What do you think?
Tarantino: “I am God…” (Indiewire)
Lars Von Trier: “I am the best filmmaker in the world.” (Spout)
Sigh. I think it’s the same-old, same-old attitude, in which male directors are expected to have huge egos so that their pronouncements are put in that context, whereas female directors are not. The article on Tarantino attempts to put some nuance in his claim, and the one on von Trier, even as it mentioned the ‘unforgivable misogyny’ in his latest film, also noted beauty in the film.
Female directors making claims like von Trier or Tarantino would be treated like a b%^*#h (I find this such a hateful word), and their movies would be completely thrashed.
Proving my point about male entitlement.
Here is a Huffpost article about von Triers’ film. It sounds disgusting:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/20/lars-von-triers-sex-and-g_n_205953.html
I for one wish some women directors would come out with this kind of provocative statement. Tarantino’s doesn’t bother me because yes, directors, novelist or playwrights play god with their characters; Von Trier is a provocateur whose films actually interest me, even when they’re failure. Women should be able to make similar movies and say similar things, no matter how blowhardy we think they are.
As for the reception they would get if they did, I guess it wouldn’t be all that dissimilar to the one QT and LVT encountered: amusement (“here they go again”) and then going on to the actual movie.
Come on, let’s go out there with manifestos!
Here’s what I think on the topic of marketing our creative efforts, whether as writers, artists, directors, or whatever. Women need to step up. Our culture says we should be modest about our accomplishments. Self-disparagement as a way of confronting men is encouraged (“Well, I may not be fully informed, but . . .[and then a brilliant analysis]). Women in creative arenas are often uncomfortable promoting themselves, but it is a tool that needs to be well-wielded these days to get media coverage and a spotlight focused on our work–it’s an information age and we need to be well-versed in how to make the most of it and not be shy about doing it. It’s like money and power for women–there is no shame in having it or wanting it. It’s the style you employ in the process that is important.