Systemic bias and the enduring cult of male genius continue to suppress female film-makers at major European cinema showcases, according to Danish-Egyptian director May el-Toukhy. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday during the 83rd edition of the Venice film festival, el-Toukhy highlighted a persistent industry imbalance where female directors struggle for institutional recognition despite post-MeToo awareness.
The Venice Gender Imbalance and Industry Recognition
El-Toukhy’s post-Second World War period drama, Woman Unknown, stood as the sole film directed by a woman in the main competition when the initial line-up was announced in July, according to festival data. Festival directors subsequently added the documentary NAZA, co-directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and produced by the Guardian. Competition prizes at top European showcases like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin serve as crucial door-openers for international distribution deals.
Directors running for the top Golden Lion award on the Lido include established veterans Werner Herzog, Paul Schrader, Nanni Moretti, Martin McDonagh, and Danny Boyle. El-Toukhy noted that while the industry experienced a heightened awareness of gender disparities following the MeToo movement, festival selections are reverting to historical imbalances. “Something has happened over the course of the last couple of years, but we’re kind of returning to what it used to be,” el-Toukhy said.
Comparative Analysis of European Film Festivals
At Cannes this year, five out of 22 films in the main competition were directed by women. Meanwhile, the Berlinale featured seven out of 17 films directed by female filmmakers.
Did You Know?
A competition prize at Europe’s top three film festivals—Cannes, Venice, and Berlin—remains one of the most significant catalysts for securing international film distribution deals.
Production Hurdles and Systemic Barriers
Structural obstacles persist beyond festival selections, affecting career longevity and project financing for women in cinema. El-Toukhy stated that she encountered systemic hurdles throughout her career, noting that securing funding and production backing for her debut feature after graduating from film school took six or seven years—a timeline significantly longer than that of her male peers.
El-Toukhy’s latest project, Woman Unknown, is her third feature. Her 2019 film Queen of Hearts earned the Nordic Council film prize, the most prestigious pan-Nordic film award. Beyond directing, el-Toukhy initiated Dogma 25, a modern update and relaunch of the return-to-basics movement originally spearheaded by directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg.
Historical Themes in Woman Unknown
Set directly after the Danish liberation from Nazi occupation, Woman Unknown examines the social fallout faced by female “horizontal collaborators.” The narrative follows a young housemaid named Marie, played by Mathilde Arcel, who prepares to marry her widowed employer while concealing a wartime relationship with a German soldier.
El-Toukhy explained that the film developed from research into historical witch-hunts targeting women during wartime, reflecting the concept that “the female body during wartime is considered national territory.” She added, “My film is about the invisibility of women. It’s about being objectified on one hand, and on the other hand being unseen and voiceless.” Acknowledging the public discourse surrounding the lack of female representation on the Lido, el-Toukhy remarked that the backlash has likely made her “the most-known woman unknown at this festival.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Woman Unknown about?
Directed by May el-Toukhy, Woman Unknown is a period drama set after the Danish liberation, following a housemaid hiding a wartime relationship with a German soldier from her prospective husband.
How many female directors were in the main Venice competition initially?
May el-Toukhy’s film was the only project directed by a woman in the main competition when the Venice film festival line-up was announced in July, before organizers added the documentary NAZA.
Why are European film festival competition slots important?
Prizes at top festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin act as vital commercial gateways for independent and arthouse films seeking global distribution agreements.
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