After the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) started in 2008, with 24 films, we finally have our first solo female director.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe and its fanbase have grown massively since the release of Iron Man in 2008. As a Marvel fan myself I have very few criticisms of the franchise, but as a female, a few more come to mind. From 2008 to 2017 sixteen films were released, all directed by white males. Then Taika Waititi and Ryan Coogler were brought into the mix with their hits Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther. But it wasn’t until this year, 2021, that we had our first solo female director for a feature film, Cate Shortland, who directed Black Widow.
Everyone was thrilled when they heard that Black Widow was finally getting solo movie, after eleven years in the MCU. But nothing can quite compare to the glee that was felt when it was announced that this film would have a female director. Finally! No more skin tight costumes that would offer no real protection, no more unnecessary close up shots of Scarlett Johansson’s behind (don’t get me wrong, she looks great, but does that really contribute to the story?).
Some people might question why this is so important. But female directors or just divers directors in general are super important (get it? Super important). Otherwise we will only ever see characters represented from one perspective, the white male. For young white males this causes no problems, you’ll likely be accurately represented and have strong role models to look up to. But as a female this isn’t the case. The so called “role-models” presented to use are over-sexualised, over-simplified characters who’s only purpose is to help develop the male characters plot. That’s why it’s so important for audiences to have diverse directors, to give us accurate representations.
Not only is it important for audiences to have diverse directors, it also makes a huge impact on other people working in the same industry. Cate Shortland has said;
“I think now is a chance for women to kind of kick the door down and hold it open for other women to come through, because we’ve sort of got this opportunity and we’ve got to grab it because if we don’t push for it, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
The last thirteen years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been dominated by white males. Hopefully now, with proof that diverse directors are just as successful, the next thirteen years will look very different.
