Elizabeth Banks just made a comment that Steven Spielberg won’t like. While accepting an award from non-profit group Women in Film, Banks stood up for all the women in Hollywood whose stories go unseen.
She said, “I went to ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Jaws’ and every movie Steven Spielberg ever made, and by the way, he’s never made a movie with a female lead. Sorry, Steven. I don’t mean to call your ass out but it’s true.”
As pointed out by The Wrap, “of the 30 feature films Spielberg has directed, one did feature a female protagonist.” What film was that? “The Color Purple,” which was released in 1985.
But that’s not exactly a throwaway film: it’s a truly treasured one. And women of color on Twitter were not pleased.
Banks ignored The Color Purple because black women/ black narratives are only considered worthy if they are netting a white person an award.
— Shanelle Little (@ShanelleLittle) June 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/freeblackgirl/status/875327736956452865
Sadly, Banks’ overall point was lost because of really unfortunate the way she slighted this film.
But she wasn’t all wrong. She went on to say how she loves the fact that her sons are exposed to female stories in films like “Frozen,” and “Wonder Woman,” stating how moms need to encourage their sons seeing films with women as leads. “Buy a fucking ticket to a movie with a woman, take them, give them the experience of seeing amazing women on film. I directed one movie. I’m really glad to be up here and getting an award, but it’s really about expanding the roles of women in this industry.”
