Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ Oscar Snub Speaks to Hollywood’s Problem with Women

Recognizing Women

Gerwig’s snub got under my skin in an extra special way, because this snub speaks to the way Hollywood looks at the women behind the camera, which is to say: They don’t.

Despite the blowback that the Golden Globes received for its all-male directing nominees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences followed suit with the Oscar nominations on Monday morning.

And five men were nominated for Best Director—Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, Sam Mendes, Quentin Tarantino, and Bong Joon-ho—while talented women like Lulu Wang, Marielle Heller, Melina Matsoukas, and Lorene Scarfaria were snubbed. But the most glaring of those snubs? Greta Gerwig for Little Women.

Greta Gerwig arrives at last year’s Academy Awards on Sunday at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The Sacramento native’s “Lady Bird” was up for five awards Sunday. ERIC JAMISON INVISION

It’s deja vu. Gerwig’s directorial debut, “Lady Bird,” a 2017 comedy-drama set in Sacramento, but lost for Best Director. “Lady Bird” was nominated for five Oscars at the 90th Academy Awards – best picture, best actress for Ronan, best supporting actress for Laurie Metcalf, best original screenplay (Gerwig) and best director, but came up empty.

“In terms of Greta, I’m happy that everybody is upset,” Actress Florence Pugh told Variety. “It’s great when you don’t need to point out the obvious. As Greta has said before, it’s been a great year for female creators and I hope this encourages a larger conversation. This is literally why Greta made the film — one about women living in a man’s world, related to money and success. This news only highlights the message of the film.”

See the rest of the story in The Decider: and the Sacramento Bee:

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