Kobieta w męskim świecie. Strategie działania Małgorzaty Szumowskiej

Abstract

Filmmaking is one of the most male-dominated profession. Poland is no exception in this regard. Researchers exploring the issue of female directors in Polish cinema indicated misogynistic attitude prevalent in film schools, in the film industry, as well as among the policy-makers as a main cause of that situation before 1989. Despite the socio-cultural changes after the collapse of communism and gender mainstreaming policy adopted after 2004, almost nothing has changed in this respect since then. That is why a few exceptions to this inglorious and disgraceful rule are worth exploring in a more profound way. In my article I analyze Polish female film director Małgorzata Szumowska. Using interviews and articles about her as a person published both in newspapers and magazines, I distinguish three different strategies employed by her to function in the male-dominated industry. These are as follows: the strategy of incorporation (“one of the boys”), the mask of stereotypical womanhood, and madness.