It’s been a couple of months since I discussed the notion of 2009 being a watershed year for female filmmakers at the Oscars, and it’s a possibility that seems to be gaining traction. Sasha Stone recently responded to a post of mine by toying with the slogan “year of the woman,” while a new post by indieWIRE’s Peter Knegt continues the discussion.
Like me, Knegt fancies the chances of Lone Scherfig and Jane Campion in the race, but his chief interest at the moment is in Kathryn Bigelow, whose film “The Hurt Locker” he declares “the biggest news to hit this year’s race,” based principally on the unexpected strength of its critical reception:
Coming off a well-received run in the festival circuit, most expected Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” would find some good reviews and perhaps even make a bit of money. But “Locker” didn’t just find good reviews, it found ecstatic ones … And while judging its promising $2.2 million-and-counting – after four weeks and without going over 100 screens – is still premature, “Locker” is certainly exceeding financial expectations thus far.
He continues:
It’s (sic) two historically un-friendly Oscar traits – being directed by a woman and being set in Iraq – might actually be this bomb squad thriller’s secret weapon. Historically, the Academy loves war-related films … the ongoing Iraq War hasn’t found a major nomination outside Tommy Lee Jones’ performance in “In The Valley of Elah.” But, with the Obama administration working toward the U.S.‘s withdrawal of troops, and “The Hurt Locker”‘s box office suggesting audiences might be ready to view cinematic representations of Iraq, perhaps the Academy is up for continuing their tradition.
I tend to agree, and I don’t even think Bigelow is necessarily the strongest female contender for Oscar glory. It’s an exciting situation that I look forward to seeing unfold as the season plays out. And my personal investment in female filmmakers this year goes beyond the Oscar race: at present, Bigelow, Claire Denis and Andrea Arnold occupy the medal positions for my favorite film of the year thus far.
Comments
One response to “Women on top”
Is it the “this is the year of the woman” pronouncements time of year again? That means I have to rotate my tires.
Like the other years, I feel a big disappointment coming. Sure Obama won, but I do believe he’s a male. The BO of The Hurt Locker isn’t surprising considering, the marketing so far has been geared towards the Oscar crowd.
We’ll see.