Birks Women in Film x TIFF

By: Natalie Nanowski

Women have been chipping away at the glass ceiling in many industries, and film is no exception. Producing, writing, directing – roles that used to be dominated by men, are now being infiltrated by women. And that is what Birks was celebrating Monday at the fourth annual Birks Diamond Tribute Women in Film.

One by one the 12 honourees made their way down the red carpet at the Shangri-La hotel in Toronto. There was a definite air of accomplishment.

“There are so many women who are showcasing their films here at TIFF,” said Jennifer Podemski, Canadian actress and Birks’ honouree. “And it was very different 20 years ago. It really was a man’s world.”

Every actress I spoke to said that part of that achievement stems from supporting our female peers, rather than trying to compete with them. And that’s a difficult line to walk when you’re gunning for the same job as your friend. It’s a challenge I’ve seen even in my own industry when you’re trying to get the best story.

“With my friends it’s all very supportive and kind of encouraging,” said Amanda Crew, actress and honouree. “And when someone gets a job over the other, it’s kind of like ‘well at least you got it, and it wasn’t someone else.’”

It’s that kind of friendship that actress Sandra Oh says made it possible for her to work with Anne Heche on the movie Catfight, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

“Anne and I were talking about it and it’s like ‘Oh my god, can you imagine if we didn’t adore each other as much as we do,” said Oh, Birks’ honouree.

The satirical film by indie writer-director Onur Turkel features the pair beating each other up for minutes at a time. After not keeping in touch for years, the once friends turn foes when they run into each other at a party and fists fly.

“And it’s also men supporting women. Honestly with Catfight, Onur Turkel, all his keys were women: A female producer, DP [director of photography], production designer, costume designer and his two stars. It was a very female set,” said Oh.

But Oh says the boys’ club still exists.

In 2013 the New York Film Academy looked at women on screen in the top 500 films between 2007 and 2012. The findings are disappointing. Only about 30 per cent of speaking roles are women and there are still more male actors than there are female, men outnumber women 2.25 to 1.

“We just got to get our heads out of the ugliness sometimes and recognize that big strides are being made. And not to feel so judgmental about our own progress and look around and maybe join forces with other women and maybe dream bigger,” said Podemski.

“For us it’s about recognizing more than just the way women look on the red carpet,” says Eva Hartling, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Birks. “In the context of film festivals we see actresses being celebrated, it’s important to recognize the contribution and talent of women behind the scenes as well.”

The glitzy event ended with the awards handed out, cocktails, schmoozing and a promise to keep commemorating the successes of Canadian women in film.

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