In a world… where female filmmakers can thrive, Lake Bell will emerge victorious.
Bell will write, direct, produce and star in “What’s the Point? (And Other Fair Questions About Marriage).” Described as, “an ensemble comedy investigating the concept that marriage should be a seven-year contract with an option to renew,” the film will co-star Ed Helms (“The Hangover”).
“What’s the Point?” will be Bell’s sophomore directorial outing after her 2013 debut, the well-received “In A World…” For that feature, Bell tackled industry sexism, transforming her experiences as a voiceover actress into a hilarious story. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where Bell earned the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Women and Hollywood praised the film, especially the fact that “Bell effortlessly constructs the voiceover world into an exclusive boys club, filled with white dudes sweating away their problems in saunas, chatting about projects over voice-soothing whiskey cocktails.”
On being a female director, Bell previously told Women and Hollywood, “I don’t find it hard to make a film because I am a woman. I think if you have a movie to make, make it. If you happen to have a vagina, that’s okay. Still make it.”
Bell wasn’t being offered the projects that appealed to her as an actress, so she started writing them herself, along with a team of supporting players.
Bell will produce through her own company, More Films, along with Jett Steiger (Ways & Means), Miranda Bailey and Amanda Marshall (Cold Iron Pictures).
“Supporting female filmmakers is incredibly important to us and we are so excited to produce Lake’s follow-up to the fantastic’ In A World…,’” said Bailey.
Bell has stated that she’s “[e]ager for the moment to arise when the story is less ‘What does it feel like to be a female director?’ I hope the story soon becomes ‘I either liked your movie or I didn’t, let’s talk about your movie.’ That’s the real goal. Because honestly I look around and I see wonderful role models that are ladies.”
We hope that day comes too, but it will only arrive when true equality is achieved. Thankfully Bell is helping push that time closer.
[via Press Meterials]
