Sofia Coppola

For her latest film, fiercely independent writer-director Sofia Coppola made the unexpected decision to remake the 1971 Southern gothic thriller The Beguiled, about an injured Civil War soldier (Clint Eastwood in the original) recuperating in a girls school. Of course, she put her own twist on it, and became only the second woman to win the Cannes best director prize.

Sofia Coppola at The Beguiled premiere

"I knew about the story from the original film," she says, "and then I tried to put it out of my mind and go back to the book and reimagine it in my own way. This is really the take looking from the other side. I wanted it to be this feminine, gauzy world that doesn't look threatening at all, so that it's a real surprise when the story shifts."

Continue reading: Sofia Coppola Wanted Dirt And Lace In The Beguiled

It's simply incredible to see women being celebrated for their achievements rather than their bodies, providing girls with real role models. Ava DuVernay is one such icon of this movement, notably appearing in the 2016 Pirelli calendar alongside such greats as Serena Williams and Kathleen Kennedy. And now she has her own Barbie doll, so even children can learn of her talents.

Ava DuVernay now has her own Barbie doll

If you didn't already know Ava DuVernay is the director of the Oscar winning 2014 drama 'Selma'; a Martin Luther King biopic exploring his campaign to open up equal voting rights for black citizens. It's an important issue, and a breakthrough for feminism as well as race related issues. Only 7% of film directors are women; a shocking figure given that some of the greatest movies in history had a lady at the helm.

Continue reading: Ava DuVernay And 9 More Ground-Breaking Female Film Directors

Chloe Grace Moretz has confirmed she’s signed signed on for the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The film was first announced last March with Sofia Coppola attached to direct, but in June the director exited the project due to ‘creative differences’.

Chloe Grace Moretz has signed on for The Little Mermaid.

Moretz confirmed the news on Instagram writing: ‘Here it is !! I've been waiting months to tell everyone how excited I am to take on this beautiful journey with Working Title, Universal, and a beautiful script by Richard Curtis.. #TheLittleMermaid !!!! Here we go!!!’

Continue reading: Chloe Grace Moretz Signs On For Live Action 'The Little Mermaid'

Willow Smith is officially a model! The 14-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith has signed a contract with a modelling agency. Smith has signed with The Society Management agency, based in New York.

Willow Smith at the Black Girls Rock! event in New Jersey, March 2015.

Read More: 14 Year Old Willow Smith Follows Cher As The Face Of Marc Jacobs New Campaign.

Continue reading: Willow Smith Signs With The Same Modelling Agency That Represents Kendall Jenner

Christmas has come early. Well, Christmas advertising has come early. Netflix has announced their upcoming mini-series 'A Very Murray Christmas', set to appear in December. The show will star Bill Murray - as the name suggests - and will serve as a homage to variety shows.

Bill Murray wishes you 'A Very Murray Christmas'...

Murray stars as himself. He served as the writer alongside Mitch Glazer and Sofia Coppola who will direct. Murray and Coppola worked together on the well-received 2003 film 'Lost in Translation', while Glazer wrote the 1988 adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' entitled 'Scrooged', starring Murray. 

Continue reading: Bill Murray Wishes You 'A Very Murray Christmas' This December

Despite an unfortunate continuation of women in subordinate roles, female actresses in Hollywood are very much in the ascendance, refusing to play second fiddle to the traditional male hierarchy. However, it is behind the camera where male domination prevails. Only four women in the entire history of the Academy Awards have been nominated for the Best Director Oscar, Lina Wertmüller for Seven Beauties (1976), Jane Champion for The Piano (1993), Sofia Coppola for Lost In Translation (2003) and Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2009). Bigelow is the only female director to take home the award. Such an overwhelming consortium of male influence seems perturbing, but a slew of female industry players are intent on overthrowing the status quo, breaking down gender barriers and paving the way for innovation on multiple levels. From the increasingly gargantuan Marvel juggernaut to low budget art-house pictures, women are beginning to make their mark in spheres in dire need of a feminine touch, free from a traditionally testosterone-fuelled male outlook.

 Nicole Perlman

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Nicole Perlman is the first woman to write a Marvel feature

Continue reading: The Most Successful Women In The Film Industry

The final panel for Cannes 2014 has been decided upon, with Sofia Coppola, Willem Dafoe and Gael Garcia Bernal amongst others joining Jane Campion who is serving as jury president. Denmark’s, Nicolas Winding Refn, France’s Carole Bouquet, Iran’s Leila Hatami, China’s Jia Zhangke, and South Korea’s Jeon Do-yeon comprise the rest of the 9 person-strong jury.

Sofia Coppola is one of an eclectic bunch set to judge at this year's Cannes

“Cannes has always sought to adopt a universal and international approach, and in tune with this tradition, Campion will be surrounded by eight luminaries of world cinema, from China, Korea, Denmark, Iran, the United States, France and Mexico,” the Festival said in a statement.

Continue reading: Cannes 2014: Sofia Coppola, Willem Dafoe And Gael Garcia Bernal Will Judge