November 5, 2007

Thought of the day- a woman can win the NYC Marathon nine months after having a baby, yet a woman cannot be bonded to direct a movie while pregnant. WTF?

WGA on strike- how will this effect women writers who already don't have an equal share of the jobs? One outcome could liberate me from the TV since I hate reality shows and if the strike goes on too long all that will be airing are reality shows. Since many people in America love reality shows and if the ratings are good, maybe the networks will decide that they will stick with reality and fuck the writers. Doubtful, but you never know.

EW's annual holiday film issue is out this week and includes a list of potential Oscar contenders. Typically, there is not one woman on the best director list. If they didn't give out Oscars for best actress and supporting actress, women probably wouldn't get any awards at all.

The European Film Award nominees (the European equivalent of the Oscars) were announced and films about women dominate the best film category. (There will be very different nominees for the Oscars, I guarantee)
The Best Picture nominees include:
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days; La Vie en Rose, Persepolis and The Queen

For best actress the nominees are:
Marion Cotillard in LA MÔME (La Vie en Rose)
Marianne Faithful in IRINA PALM
Carice van Houten in ZWARTBOEK (Black Book)
Anamaria Marinca in 4 LUNI, 3 SAPTAMINI SI 2 ZILE (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days)
Helen Mirren in THE QUEEN
Ksenia Rappoport in LA SCONOSCIUTA (The Unknown)

Awards will be handed out December 1 in Berlin.

Natalie Portman has signed a deal with Participant Productions to make socially relevant films for her newly formed company Handsomecharlie Films. First film for her company will be A Tale of Love and Darkness based on the Amos Oz novel which Portman will direct. Portman chose Participant because "we all have the same desire to make meaningful and artistically fulfilling films and are committed to the idea of stories leading to greater empathy and action for world issues." (Variety)

Missed this story last week by Anne Thompson about the fall being good for femme directed films. Gotta disagree with the assessment - five or six directed films (I have not counted, just guessing) by women out of 75 or so is not good in my book. When when will stop being happy with the crumbs?
Fall Proves Fruitful for Femmes (Variety)

Jennifer Lopez's film Bordertown about the murder of the women in Juarez directed by Gregory Nava is no longer slated for a theatrical release. Its going straight to video. Too bad, important topic. Variety said the film was booed at its premier last year. can it be that bad? Nava is a seasoned director? Anyone seen this film?

News
More of Tamara Jenkins from the NY Times' holiday movie issue.
An Unblinking Look at Death Without Nobility (NY Times)

Hilary Swank stars in the upcoming P.S., I Love You
Hilary Swank Finds Love at Last (LA Times)

Character actresses are few and far between these days. Here is one still kicking.
A Character of An Actress (New Zealand Herald)

Marjane Satrapi on Persepolis
Tales of an Iranian Bee Gees Fan (The Telegraph)

Brooke Shields has teamed with Tupperware to promote girls friendships and of course her new show Lipstick Jungle which is supposedly about female friendships.
In Life and in Lipstick Jungle, Brooke Shields Relies on Women

Showtime has renewed Weeds starring Mary Louise Parker for a fourth season. New episodes will air next summer.

Tube Tonight
American Masters honors Carol Burnett with a retrospective Carol Burnett: a Woman of Character (9pm, PBS)