Southwestern Commentator

While looking over the nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards, I was reminded of the many omissions that have happened throughout the ceremony's history.

For example, influential directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Frederico Fellini, and Stanley Kubrick have never won the award for Best Director, despite each being nominated numerous times.

But an even more glaring omission is that a woman has never won the award for Best Director, and in 80 years only three have ever been nominated (Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, and Lina Wertmuller).

One could argue that the small percentage of female directors could have something to do with it.

CNN reports that “Of the roughly 13,400 members of the Directors Guild of America, only about 1,000, or 7 percent, are listed as female directors.”

Perhaps it has to do with other numbers, mainly the box office. After all, women only direct romantic comedies, right? And chick-flicks don’t really have a broad appeal to movie-goers.

But despite the numbers, this year women directors made quality films, such as Away from Her, directed by Sarah Polley, for which Julie Christie is nominated Best Actress, and Savages, directed by Tamara Jenkins, for which Laura Linney is also nominated Best Actress. 

Women certainly aren’t interested in directing only chick-flicks; take Point Break, for example, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. 

Hopefully, the Academy will recognize a woman for her achievement in directing sometime soon. Until then, we’re left to ponder, argue, and debate this and many other questions about the Academy Awards -- like why Kubrick never won, or why Crash won Best Picture.

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