Scarlett Johansson comments on how women are changing film, and we love it
There are so many things that draw us to a complicated female character like Black Widow, from the Iron Man and Avenger films. She’s strong and powerful, and yet, she has beautifully raw moments that draw us in. In an interview with The New York Times, the actress who plays her, Scarlett Johansson, explained “admitting you’re vulnerable is a powerful thing.” That, she thinks, is one of the reasons that people feel drawn to a character like Black Widow. And she might not be the well-rounded character that she is if those films were made ten years ago.
Although we still have a lot of work to do, women’s roles in film have grown over the past decade. And more women behind the camera means a changing medium. Scarlett Johansson commented on women’s evolving roles in the entertainment industry with The New York Times. And we couldn’t me happier about the changes.
Scarlett Johansson says that the number of women on film sets has changed in the last ten years. And we say YASSSS!
Scarlett explained that ten years ago, there weren’t many women on set. Now, not only do we have female directors and producers (yay!), but there are also women assisting with the camera, working in the grip department, etc. Those jobs have typically been seen as male, but now more women have started to show that doesn’t have to be the case.
Scarlett said, "It’s nice to have a diverse group of people so that it doesn’t become so one-note — to have a female energy on set, to have different types of people and different vibes, and a more balanced creative environment."
Scarlett credits the increasingly diversified film sets for helping to change the tone of what’s put onscreen.
Rather than portraying a kind of idealism like films of the past did, Scarlett explained that films today show characters who are real and flawed.
"Maybe the audience is more open to these richer character storylines than they were before, so there’s more of an opportunity to bring that to the screen. They want to see things that reflect the experiences that they’re having. As a culture we may be becoming more accepting of differences and of the full spectrum that life gives us."
We have definitely noticed that films have moved towards the more inclusive, and we hope the trend continues. We think it’s so much more fun to see characters and stories that feel real.
Scarlett also mentioned that her daughter has a very particular dream for her mom in the movies.
"We both share the dream that I will someday be a Disney princess, but it’s probably not going to happen. I’ve been asking for that job for the past 20 years, and nobody has booked me."
Don’t worry Scarlett, there’s still time!
