Women and Hollywood

Jessica Chastain Passes on a Part in Iron Man 3

Blogs

When the news surfaced last week that Jessica Chastain was circling a part in Iron Man 3 I was a bit surprised. I just doesn't seem to be her type of film. She does not scream big Hollywood action flick. Look at her body of work. Last year she starred in five films and was recognized with an Oscar Nomination for her work in The Help and received many accolades for her work in Take Shelter and for The Tree of Life. She is basically the "it girl" of the indie world.

By Melissa Silverstein
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May 9, 2012 12:10 PM
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Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue 2012

News

At least they are all dressed. But all the satin kind of reminds me of a brothel. Thw women on the power panel which is the actual cover are Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain. And Jennifer Lawrence is in the top center. Smart of them to include the awesome Adepero Oduye.

By Melissa Silverstein
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January 31, 2012 9:10 AM
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Where are the Women?

Blogs

It has not been a good couple of months for women on shortlists here in the UK. Back in December the nation presided over the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist: 10 men and 0 women. Yesterday, BAFTA announced the shortlist for the Orange Wednesday’s Rising Star Award: 5 men and 0 women.

By Rebecca Brand
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January 13, 2012 10:20 AM
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Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award Winners

EDA

EDA ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Best Film: The Artist
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Best Screenplay, Original: Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
Best Screenplay, Adapted: (TIE) The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash; Moneyball - Steven Zallian and Aaron Sorkin
Best Documentary: Buck
Best Animated Film: Rango
Best Actress: Viola Davis as Abileen in The Help
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: (TIE) Janet McTeer as Hubert Page in Albert Nobbs; Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson in The Help
Best Actor: Michael Fassbender as Brandon Sullivan in Shame
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer as Hal Fields in Beginners
Best Ensemble Cast: Bridesmaids
Best Editing: Hugo - Thelma Schoonmaker
Best Cinematography: The Tree of Life - Emmanuel Lubezki
Best Film Music Or Score: (TIE) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Original Score; Hanna - The Chemical Brothers, Original Score
Best Non-English-Language Film: A Separation - Ashgar Farhadi, Iran

By Melissa Silverstein
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January 11, 2012 9:42 AM
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The Golden Globe Nominations: The Women

I like the Golden Globe show cause it's always goofy. People drink, say funny stuff and you get TV and film people in one place. People who are awards watchers don't take it too seriously because they have two different film categories -- comedy and drama -- which no other awards do. The also kiss a lot of celebrity butt in order to have a star ladened show rather than a serious awards show. So you must not take anything these people do too seriously.

But they do get coverage and they do get talked about so it matters that with 11 films nominated in the two categories there is not a single woman directed film nominated for best drama or best comedy/musical. The Help and Bridesmaids continued their good week and I think that we will have to settle for one (The Help) or hopefully both of these films representing the chicks at the Oscars. So it will be films about women that will represent women, not films by women. But weirdly, the Bridesmaids writers did not get nominated here, nor did any other female film writers (except for Angelina Jolie who got a best foreign language film nomination).

By Melissa Silverstein
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December 16, 2011 9:49 AM
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Talking Oscars and Feminism with Scott Feinberg of the Hollywood Reporter

Blogs

Check out this audio interview I did with Scott Feinberg - Oscar analyst at the Hollywood Reporter. We talked about the Oscar race with a feminist slant. I really enjoyed the conversation.

By Melissa Silverstein
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December 9, 2011 11:56 AM
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Take a Look at the Busiest Woman in Movies This Year: Jessica Chastain

Video

If you haven't seen Jessica Chastain in a movie this year, you haven't been to the movies because she has been in five, some big and some small. Most actors would be lucky to have one role that gets some notice, but this 30 year old woman has proved herself in all these films. Her biggest problem this year is that she is competing with herself for an Oscar.

By Melissa Silverstein
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December 8, 2011 10:58 AM
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Streep and Chastain Only Women Recognized by NY Film Critics Circle

Awards

By Melissa Silverstein
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November 30, 2011 10:30 AM
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Where are the Women at the Indie Spirit Nominations?

I just got back from a meeting and broke open the list of indie spirit nominees for 2012 and I am utterly dispirited at the lack of female voices throughout the categories.

I am looking back at the list from last year and two female directed films -- Winter's Bone and The Kids Are All Right -- got multiple nominations.

This year not so much.

A variety of these lists that will be coming at us over the next months and they will be very male centric. If people were under the illusion that this was a good year for female voices, this list is an indicator of how much work needs to be done. This so makes me want to start the female film awards. Who is in?

By Melissa Silverstein
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November 29, 2011 4:41 PM
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