The renowned director Sofia Coppolain a recent interview with the BBC, exposed the gender inequalities faced in the film industry, especially with regard to the disparity in budgets between productions directed by men and women.
With the release of ‘Priscilla’, a film based on the book ‘Elvis and I’ by Priscilla Presley, Coppola highlighted that the resources allocated to his work represented only a fraction of those available for large productions, such as ‘Elvis’, released in 2022.
Challenges and the battle for financial equity
While ‘Elvis’, a film about the story of the iconic singer, received an estimated sum of US$85 million (R$410 million), ‘Priscilla’ had a budget of approximately US$20 million (R$96 million), less than a quarter of the value of production on a man.
Sofia already won the Oscar for original screenplay in 2004 – Image: Elemental Films/Reproduction
Coppola expressed his frustration with the disparity, mentioning his fight for a fair share of funding and highlighting that it is a remnant of the company’s unequal culture. film industry.
Despite the difficulties faced, Coppola emphasized the importance of showing a female perspective in cinema.
She highlighted that while smaller budgets can be a challenge, they also provide creative freedom and a space for innovation.
The filmmaker spoke of the pleasure of working in independent productions, in which creativity flourishes even in the face of limited resources.
Gender inequalities in the film industry are a reflection of the patriarchal structures that have long shaped society.
Women, over the years, have fought for space and recognition in all spheres, including audiovisual production.
Professor Thais Oliveira, from the Cinema and Audiovisual course at the State University of Goiás (UEG), emphasizes that this cause persists, when dealing with structural challenges and the discrediting of female work.
The path to equity and recognition
Despite the obstacles, professionals like Thais Oliveira reinforce the importance of challenging gender stereotypes in the technical and creative field of cinema.
The struggle of women in the film industry is ongoing and aims for equal pay, recognition of work and the deconstruction of stereotypes.
The search for equity in the seventh art is a constant commitment, aiming for a scenario where talent, regardless of gender, is valued and recognized.
Thus, this will allow each filmmaker to tell their stories and contribute to the cultural richness of the world. movie theaterfree of gender barriers.
