Female Asian Filmmakers

Brief outline:

1. Gender Inequality in film industry

2. Female film makers in Asia

India : Gurinder Chadha

Malaysia: Yasmin Ahmad

The Philippines : Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Hong Kong : Ann Hui

3. Female film makers in Singapore

Singapore: Tan Pin Pin, Sun Koh and Wee Li-Lin.

4. Singapore Film Industry

5. Rise of female Asian film makers in the future?

Abstract:

This paper shall touch on the gender issues in the filmmakers’ industry. Some noted female filmmakers from Singapore and from the region shall be introduced. Singapore's film industry will be touched upon and lastly, some speculation of the future of female Asian filmmakers will be included in the conclusion.

Gender Inequality in the film industry:

For decades, gender issues have been deeply implanted in of every aspect of our lives. It is common to find people who hold on to their stereotypes of women today. The film industry is yet another example of that unfortunate circumstance.

This issue is prevalent on screen and behind the scenes. Male dominance began decades ago in the 1960’s and perhaps even before that. Just from the overwhelming statistics of subordination of women we saw in film and the typical stereotypes people have of women being housewives, unemployed and without careers, it is plain that women were disadvantaged from the start.

Men have had a head start when it comes to film making. It is time for women to begin catching up.

Female Filmmakers in Asia:

Gurinder Chadha (India):

Gurinder Chadha is Asian, British and Sikh. Born in Kenya, her family moved to India before moving to Britain, where she grew up in Southall, London.

Starting off in radio and television, she owes her film making to journalism. In 1993, Gurinder directed her first feature film, Bhaji on the Beach. It is a comedy following three generations of British Asian women on a trip to the beaches of Blackpool. Each woman is either escaping from a problem or looking for new possibilities.

Gurinder’s most accomplished and commercially successful film to