Earlier this week, the San Sebastian International Film Festival announced that women directed more than half of its 2019 New Directors lineup. Now the fest has unveiled new additions to its Official Selection — the films eligible for the Golden Shell — and the gender ratio isn’t quite as encouraging. Women helmed three of the confirmed Official Selection films, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Twelve titles have been chosen for the Official Selection so far. Ten — the three women-directed pics among them — are screening in competition.
As previously reported, Belen Funes’ feature directorial debut, “A Thief’s Daughter,” will be presented in the Official Selection. Funes also co-wrote the pic about a young mother whose life and plans are thrown into disarray when her father is released from prison.
Also included is Louise Archambault’s “And the Birds Rained Down,” based on Jocelyne Saucier’s novel. The drama centers on three seniors living in seclusion deep in the woods. Their way of life is endangered by wildfires, the death of one of their own, and the arrival of formerly institutionalized 80-something woman.
Ina Weisse’s “The Audition” will screen as well. Penned by Daphne Charizani, the pic sees a violin teacher dedicating herself to helping a new student succeed. However, the more she works with the talented youngster, the less present she is in her marriage and with her own son.
While a 30-percent-women-directed competition program is nothing to sneeze at, it does feel a bit disappointing compared to the New Directors schedule — and when you remember that San Sebastian signed the Gender Parity Pledge last year. The lack of parity feels even more egregious due to the Official Selection’s inclusion of James Franco’s latest film. Multiple women have accused the actor-filmmaker of sexual misconduct and Busy Philipps revealed Franco physically assaulted her on the set of “Freaks and Geeks” in her memoir.
It’s worth noting that the ratio of women directors for San Sebastian’s Official Selection could improve in the coming weeks. It’s unclear whether the current lineup has been finalized, and the section screened 18 films last year. Five of them were helmed by women, or 28 percent.
The 2019 San Sebastian Film Fest will run September 20-28.
