#WCW

This blog is all about female empowerment, right? Well, today I’m going to follow the trend of #WCW or Women Crush Wednesday and highlight some of the women and some of the stories I’ve heard recently that inspire me to keep going in this crazy business.

Some of these stories are probably old news already, but it’s taken me a while to write this. whoops.

---

I’m sure by now many of you have seen the viral clip of Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and a crying young fan at ComicCon. If you haven’t, the video shows Gadot comforting a young girl dressed in her Wonder Woman costume who begins to cry at the sight of meeting the real-life Wonder Woman. Gadot is quick to hold hands with the young fan and let her know it’s okay. Ezra Miller (the Flash) even joins in by saying “…crying makes you a warrior. Come join the Justice League when you’re ready.”

The interaction between Gadot, Miller, and the young girl is representative of the power of film. It showcases the importance of women being cast as strong leads, the importance of including women in typically male-dominated roles, the importance of creating characters that represent the fans that are watching them. Meetings like this one should inspire us all to highlight powerful female characters that young girls can look up to and aspire to be. Wonder Woman is a film that matters because it proves that 1) superheroes can most definitely be girls and 2) movies can have the biggest influence on the coming generations.

Fun tidbit: Wonder Woman is on its way to beating Frozen as the highest grossing film directed by a woman.

---

It was just announced Friday that female filmmaker, Nisha Ganatra is slated to direct Mindy Kaling’s new film, Late Night. To me, this news is huge. Collaboration amongst women is so needed and seeing women filmmakers garner this attention and support is incredible. It’s also refreshing to have two women of color at the helm of a high budget film. It’s also important to note that Mindy Kaling is currently killing it and she deserves all of the praise and recognition that is coming her way. In the last year alone she has filmed two starring roles for the upcoming Ocean’s 8 and A Wrinkle in Time, is finishing a 6 year run as star/writer/producer of ‘The Mindy Project,’ and will be starring/writing/producing her film Late Night. Hollywood needs more female powerhouses like Kaling.

---

Has everyone gone to the theater to see Girls Trip yet? If you haven’t, you need to go immediately. It is, without exaggeration, laugh out loud funny. And the type of laugh where you’re nearly crying, and then you laugh some more because everyone else in the audience is laughing just as hard. It’s truly a hilarious comedy with four incredible actresses and comedians leading the way. It even dominated the box office and became the highest grossing live-action comedy in 2017.

---

Emmy nominations came out last month and Lena Waithe from “Master of None” became the first black woman to be nominated for outstanding writing in a comedy series. It’s not surprising that “Master of None” was nominated, it’s quality. It’s funny and smart and incredibly knowledgeable about its audience and the social issues it chooses to portray. It’s the kind of funny that’s real, the kind that you and I could experience on a regular day. But what is surprising is that in 2017, Lena Waithe is the first. She herself was shocked about the nomination and simply expressed “we’ve got to work on that.”

---

There are so many women everyday who are working towards creating female roles, collaborating and supporting female filmmakers, and making sure more women come out on top. It’s inspiring and empowering to know that, although there is still SO much progress left to be made, there are women already out there getting stuff done.

Here’s to you, ladies!

Kristen

The Inauguration Won’t Stop Me

The inauguration is four days away. The reality of it all is weighing heavy on my heart. I am still disgusted that this man will forever be known as the 45th President of the United States, whose picture will be in our history books next to Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. I am angered by his words and his actions. I am fearful of the unknown and what is to come with him in power. I am sad to be losing Barack Obama.

I was 15 in 2008 when Obama was announced president. I knew almost nothing about politics then (I still have a lot to learn) but I knew what it would mean to have him as my president. I watched in awe and happiness when the election was officially called, and I sat engaged listening to every word of his victory speech. I watched as he was inaugurated and when it came time for re-election, I was eligible and more than ready to cast my vote for him. His leadership and his humility and his family made me hopeful these last eight years. What a change it is going to be come January 20th.

No one can foresee what changes we are in for. Will our new president follow through with his desire to repeal Obamacare? Will we lose our rights? Will our economy plummet? Will we see more race riots and hate crimes? No one can predict what will happen, but what we all can do is not let the inauguration stop us. It’s hard to think what one person can do or what a group of us can do if the president, the House, and the Senate are all against our beliefs. But as history and Martin Luther King Jr., and other activists have taught us, change does not come from the top. Change comes from the millions of passionate and courageous people who stand-up and fight and fight and fight some more.

The inauguration won’t stop Hidden Figures, a female-led movie about three black women from remaining at #1 since its release.

The inauguration won’t stop the Women’s March on Washington. It is its purpose, its reason, its driving force.

The inauguration won’t stop Bernie Sanders from being a voice for all people. It never has.

The inauguration and its constitutional traditions of a peaceful transfer of power won’t stop the 40 Democratic lawmakers from boycotting the ceremonies.

The inauguration won’t stop me from sharing my opinions, seeking equality, and fighting in whatever way I know how for justice.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

💕Kristen

Setting Standards for Hollywood’s Elite

It’s award season in the film world. (As we all already know because I already wrote a whole post dedicated to my love for it.) The Critic’s Choice Awards were Sunday night, the Golden Globe nominations were announced on Monday, and we all know that many films and their filmmakers are preparing for the Oscars in February. It’s a time of true celebration of the craft of filmmaking, but should the actions of the Hollywood elite who are so ready to take home the highest awards be taken into consideration when recognizing and praising their work?

As amazing and wonderful as the work produced may be, there is no denying that Hollywood, and the business of it all, can be a very scandalous community. Old Hollywood studios used to own their actors and force unattainable standards on their actresses. Judy Garland, for example, was forced into an abortion, given amphetamines to keep awake during long work days, and was under the full control of the executives at MGM. She was objectified, molested, and taken advantage of because male studio executives believed her to be a hot commodity in the industry and wanted to keep her that way. Unfortunately, Garland was not the only actress, or actor, to be treated this way by a studio. It happened across the board in Hollywood back then, and although not as blatant, women are still being disregarded and controlled in this business and men are still getting away with it. And the question still stands, should the movies we love still be praised even though we know their history? Should knowing the deep dark secrets of beloved studios and executives change the way we view films?

An article came to light recently discussing the harassment of actress Maria Schneider during the infamous “rape with butter” scene in Last Tango in Paris. An interview with director Bernardo Bertolucci surfaced where he mentioned never having told Schneider of the scene because he wanted an authentic reaction from a woman, not an actress. Although it seems Schneider had been informed of the scene, which was not a part of the script, moments before having to film it, her comments on the controversy are what should be remembered.

They only told me about it before we had to film the scene and I was so angry…Marlon [Brando] said to me, “Maria, don’t worry, it’s just a movie,” …I felt humiliated and to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci.

And the question rises again, should the actions of these men have an affect on the accolades they received and the pedestals they have been placed on?

Manchester by the Sea, a film I openly supported and love and a film that is getting rave reviews in the press is led by actor Casey Affleck. Were you aware of his history of disregarding his female crew and attempts at sleeping with them despite their blatant objections? I didn’t until just a few days ago. Between failing to compensate his female producers and continuing to force unwanted advances toward them, the list continues to grow on his behavior toward women. This is the man slated to be a front runner for Best Actor this award season, already claiming that title at the Critics Choice Awards. His work on Manchester was phenomenal, but is it right for him to reach these milestones and have a successful career despite his rather disgusting history with women?

The continuing pattern of controversies and scandals being swept under the rug and ignored is aggravating and insulting to the women who have experienced it. Rape victims seeing known perpetrators on stage reciting their acceptance speeches, it’s not okay. Female producers who see the men they’ve worked with take all the credit, it’s not okay. Female filmmakers having to back out of projects over unfair treatment, it’s not okay.

Actors such as Bill Cosby and Nate Parker have had their careers destroyed because of their treatment of women. Why are white men, white actors, white directors, white executives not held to the same standard?

It’s hard. It really can be. It’s hard to deny the excellence and the success of certain films and it’s hard to deny the range and the beauty of the work displayed by actors and directors. But as creators and movie-goers and members of the community, we need to set standards and precedents that show that disregarding women, harassing women, taking advantage of women is not celebrated. It will not be ignored, it will not become a footnote.

We may not be able to un-see our favorite movies or suddenly have disdain for our favorite actors for having a less-than perfect past, but we need to recognize that it is a problem and that it has happened, it is happening, and it will continue to happen unless there is change within the industry.

Let’s set higher standards for the Hollywood elite.

Getting Ready for the Oscars

It’s the best time of the year…Oscar season! Oh, did you think I was talking about Christmas? That too, but Oscar season is simply the best time of the year for movies. Of course, having an Oscar nomination doesn’t make or break a movie, it doesn’t mean it’s good or bad, but it does bring out some of the best movies of the year. Oscar nomination time is when small festival films make it to the big screen and it’s a time when we get a break from summer blockbusters and CGI and get an array of simple, cinematic stories.

My Oscar season starts when I make my list of Academy Award potentials and start my research. I love reading about low-budget films that made it to the big time at Sundance or hearing about the latest films that are “unlike anything we’ve ever seen.” I enjoy movies and I enjoy getting the opportunity to watch the ones that everyone is talking about. And right out of the gate, one of the most promising films that I have seen in a while is Manchester by the Sea. Wow, just wow.

This film was something else. It was simple, yet complex, it was cinematically beautiful with actors that carried the film incredibly. This film was filled with emotion and one that focused on the depths of the story. I loved it.

I could give a full review, but this is a film that needs to be seen and not just read about. It is definitely a top contender so far, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and possibly even Best Supporting Actor. It is a well-rounded cast depicting a well-rounded story and I can’t wait to see what nominations it comes away with come January.

As a filmmaker, these films inspire me and they make me want to do better and to make better things. These films are what challenge me to keep trying and keep creating. Filmmaking is such an incredible outlet and to tell stories that reach audiences far and wide and evoke emotions the way they do…it’s a pretty cool dream to reach for.

💕Kristen

Oscar posts will be a common theme the next few months as I watch more films and read more about what’s to come for the February 26th ceremony…

 

Being Thankful

This Thursday in the United States is Thanksgiving. It is a day that has some questionable origins, but has turned into a day of family gathering and long-lasting thankfulness. It is the time of year where we can take a moment to see all that we have been given, acknowledge our successes, be grateful that we made it through our hardships, and be together with our family and friends as we stuff our faces full of food.

This year I’m thankful…

That Bekkah and I took the leap to start this blog. It’s never been easy to write and share my opinions with other people.

For my parents and my family and friends for continuously supporting all of my endeavors.

For the ocean and my home away from home in Monterey.

For my health.

And for my new business venture and the opportunity to film and create and work.

Oh, and Netflix because Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life comes out in 3 days and I can’t wait!

 

---

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and get in the spirit by watching all of the Friends Thanksgiving episodes, especially one of my personal favorites, “The One Where Ross Got High” from Season 6.

And even if you don’t celebrate, I hope you can take some time and be a little extra thankful for the wonderful things you have in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

International Day of the Girl

Today is International Day of the Girl and we are celebrating ladies everywhere! This day is more than just a celebration, it is a movement, and it is aimed at empowering women and fighting for women’s rights and against the violence and injustices that happen towards women everyday. “Our work to dismantle the patriarchy and fight for social justice is rooted in girl-led activism across the country, using October 11th as a day of national (an international) action.”

Film Like A Lady was started to empower and connect women filmmakers and creators. We whole-heartedly support this day and support women of the world being given the opportunities to do amazing things. And to celebrate, we want to join the movement and join the Girl Up Campaign and celebrate women and show off our #GirlHero. Fortunately for us we could not choose just one. There are so many women whom I admire and respect and who have paved the way for women around the world and who continue to work hard for gender inclusivity. There are even women in my personal life who exemplify what it means to be a woman and what it means to care for one another and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. But today, in support of International Day of the Girl, I am celebrating a few of the women who continue to be active voices for equality and embody what it means to be a woman. My #GirlHeroes are:

Emma Watson: actress, global ambassador, leader for the HeForShe campaign

Yara Shahidi: Blach-ish actress, young woman activist

Angelina Jolie: actress, director, humanitarian, GoodWill Ambassador

Rowan Blanchard: Girl Meets World actress, 14 year old public activist and feminist

Barbara Kopple: Bekkah‘s #GirlHero, documentary filmmaker

How lucky are we to have these women at the center of our creative community by appearing in and creating films and television, making their voices heard on such a powerful and influential platform. And I can’t forget to mention Michelle Obama, our incredible First Lady of the United States who is on one of the highest and most prestigious platforms and continues to work tirelessly for equality on all fronts: education, health, and women’s rights. She holds open conversations and fights for us and is a role model for us all.

#DayoftheGirl is here to celebrate these women and be a day of action to discuss and fight for the better treatment and recognition of women. October 11th is for us. Let’s go out and show the world that women are creative, powerful, deserving, strong, and worthy of equality.

💕Kristen

For more information about International Day of the Girl, please visit http://www.dayofthegirl.org

 

 

 

Kristen’s Top 15

Hi guys!

Kristen here, and welcome to my first official post! The best way I knew how to start this up was by sharing my favorite movies of all time. They say a lot about me and I really like talking about the movies I love.

Stories have always been a comfort for me. As a kid my sister and I danced around our living room to the soundtracks of Beauty and the Beast, the Lion King, and even Spice World, the ever popular Spice Girls movie. I would sit at my desk for hours and write and draw short stories. I created endless scenes with my Barbie dolls and created short video birthday cards for my parents on Windows Movie Maker. I ended up going to college to learn more about the art of making movies and I graduated with a degree in Cinematic Arts and Technology. So far, the things that I enjoy in my life have been guided by my love of telling stories and my favorite movies are no different. They tell stories that I laugh at, connect with, or just plain enjoy, and they all hold a lot of special memories. These are the movies that keep me inspired to create and make me happy (or sad and emotional) every time I watch them.

So, before we get into it, let me preface the upcoming list by saying that although I was a film major and I love making movies, most of the films I have listed would not make it in an AFI Top 100 list or would ever be considered a cinematic masterpiece. But to me, that is not why I love these movies. It is all about the story, both the wonderful screenplays and the stories and memories these films remind me of.

(the top 3 are the only ones in any particular order)

1. Grease
   • Without question, my favorite movie on this planet. I watched it for the first time when I was 4 or 5 and I remember sitting in my room with the cassette tape soundtrack playing in my boombox and I sang those songs for hours. I have no explanation of why I fell so in love with it, but it will forever be number 1 for me.
2.  Dead Poet’s Society
   • A classic that always reminds me of my dad. We will sit and watch it together whenever it’s on TV and we quote it all the time. Robin William’s performance is unmatched, and who couldn’t love a good seize the day mantra?
3.  Once
   • Don’t ask me how I found this little indie Irish movie, but from the moment I saw it I knew I loved the simplicity and the non-typical love story. I’ve always said that if I could, I’d want to make movies just like this.
4.  Crazy, Stupid, Love
   • Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Emma Stone. What more could you want? And that little inter-connected twist at the end? Genius.
5.  Titanic
   • OBVIOUSLY. From having to switch the VHS tape halfway through when I was a kid to sitting and watching it whenever it’s on TV, this movie never ever gets old.
6.  A Walk to Remember
   • The cheesiest, most loving, and wonderful Nicholas Sparks story. Even my mom says this is one cheesy love story that she can always sit down and enjoy. YOUR LOVE IS LIKE THE WIND, JAMIE
7.   Mean Girls
   • Four for you, Glenn Coco, you go Glenn Coco! And none for Gretchen Weiners, BYE.
8.  She’s the Man
   • In college, this is the movie my roommate and I chose when we didn’t know what else to watch. It is always the best option and any movie that you can quote on the daily is pretty much top notch in my book.
9.  Toy Story
   • A Pixar favorite. And definitely one of mine. Obviously, or else it wouldn’t be on this list.
10.  It’s A Wonderful Life
    • A Christmas Eve classic and one that will always remind of my family because we end the Christmas season by watching this movie. And the message of family and friendship is something so heartwarming you can’t not love it.
11.  Schindler’s List
    • The most moving moment in this film is the little girl in red walking alone. The entire film is in black and white except for this moment (and a few others) where this child’s red coat is the only color the audience sees. An amazing filmmaking choice by Spielberg.
12.  Midnight in Paris
    • When I first saw this I said that I want to write a story just like it. This film is so unique and so quirky and so wonderful and it’s a bit of a history lesson. HOW COOL.
13.  Mrs. Doubtfire
    • I use the word classic a lot, but this is classic Robin Williams comedy. Without fail, I laugh every time. And I’ve seen this one probably a hundred times.
14.  School of Rock
    • Jack Black and rock n roll. The perfect combination.
15.  The Notebook
    • Another Nicholas Sparks cheesy love story but how can you not love it?

Honorable Mention

1. 21&22 Jumpstreet
2. Gone with the Wind
3. Ladder 49
4. Miracle on 34th Street
5. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (a brand new favorite!)

This list had fairytale endings, angels getting their wings, and a lot of Ryan Gosling, Channing Tatum, and Rachael McAdams. But I can’t help it, these are the movies I love the most.

_________________________________________________________________

More of my posts from here on out will be about what you came to this blog to read; women in film and all that good stuff. But I had to share these films with you because they say a lot about me as a person and as a lover of movies and stories. I hope you enjoyed reading it and I hope you come back on Tuesday for a brand new post where I talk about my favorite, Mindy Kaling, and her take on diversity in television!

♥Kristen