Hollywood systematically got in the way of women directors | It's Been a Minute

In nearly 100 years, the Oscar award for Best Director has only gone to three women. The film industry as a whole has been heavily dominated by men, but it wasn't always this way. Ahead of Academy Awards, Brittany chops it up with Maya Montañez Smukler, author of Liberating Hollywood: Women Directors and the Feminist Reform of 1970s American Cinema, to discuss the state of women directors and how the industry systematically shifted them out of the spotlight.

Then, we ask Chicago Tribune TV and film critic Nina Metz about the oversaturation of fictional, churlish billionaires on screen - and why there should be more depictions of the workers they exploit.

You can follow us on Twitter @ItsBeenAMin or email us at ibam@npr.org.

WHAT IS “IT’S BEEN A MINUTE”?

Each week, It's Been a Minute features people in the culture who deserve your attention. Plus weekly wraps of the news with journalists in the know. Join us to make sense of the world through conversation. Email the show at ibam@npr.org.

LISTEN TO OTHER EPISODES

🎵 NPR Music (Tiny Desk)

🎷 Jazz Night in America

FOLLOW NPR ELSEWHERE

See “It’s Been A Minute” sponsors and promo codes

The NPR shows you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today