Grumblings that Hollywood is a man’s world have percolated for decades and are borne out in grim figures: Women directed only 4 percent of top-grossing films over the last dozen years. Now this apparent truism is being challenged as a violation of civil rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union has asked state and federal agencies to investigate the hiring practices of major Hollywood studios, networks and talent agencies for what the organization described as rampant and intentional gender discrimination in recruiting and hiring female directors.
“Women directors aren’t working on an even playing field and aren’t getting a fair opportunity to succeed,” said Melissa Goodman, director of the L.G.B.T., Gender and Reproductive Justice Project at the A.C.L.U. of Southern California. “Gender discrimination is illegal. And, really, Hollywood doesn’t get this free pass when it comes to civil rights and gender discrimination.”
What the A.C.L.U. is requesting has precedent. In the 1960s, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission held hearings about Hollywood and asked for the intervention of the Justice Department, which in turn found employment discrimination. A settlement was reached with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers and several unions: Remedial measures included employment referrals for minorities, although not women specifically, and the A.C.L.U. said enforcement measures sputtered and ultimately failed.
Note: One of the principals of this website was in the film business for ten years. She won a Gold Medal in Venice for co-producing and co-writing a feature film. During her stint in the business, she experienced no discrimination at all. However, when she wanted to return to the film business after the birth of her first child, it was clear to her that woriking 36 hours a day for half the year was not possible for her because she wanted to be an active mother. Many women do not want to leave their young children to be reared by nannies. (That is the recommendation of Skaden Arps’ female partners to young women associaites.)
