Before the Venice Film Festival, there was an uproar over the lack of entries by female filmmakers.
May el-Toukhy was initially the only woman added to the event, listed as Woman Unknown.
Later, Rachel Szor’s documentary Naza, which she co-directed, was included.
Now, the filmmaker added, “Obviously, I’m delighted to have been invited to this historic festival.”
However, she noted, “But I would have loved to be in the company of more female directors in the competition.”
In her view, it has been “a structural problem”.
By this, el-Toukhy means the industry itself produces unequally. She moved on to give examples of her contention.
“We discussed how the idea of publicly shaming women is an old concept,” the director said.
El-Toukhy then points out the inequalities, from budgets to talent and even press coverage.
“Not having enough films by women is also an issue that goes way back,” she continued.
“It’s reflected in the budgets we work with and the talent that wants to be involved.”
“Even journalists talk about male directors differently than they talk about women,” the director added.
“I’ve never heard a female director called a ‘genius’ – and I read many articles about male geniuses.”
After diagnosing the problem, el-Toukhy went on to provide a solution.
“Everyone has to chip in and be a part of it,” she said, adding, “I will now have a chance to discuss this issue through my film, which is rather aptly called ‘Woman Unknown’.”
“I’m happy to do so, even though the circumstances surrounding me being in the main competition are what they are.”
“We have a lot of work to do to change that,” el-Toukhy concluded.
