American actress Reese Witherspoon, together with her Pacific Standard producing partner Bruna Papandrea is on a mission to create more interesting roles for women in film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two spoke during the "Produced By" conference in Los Angeles and revealed their plans about changing the landscape for women in Hollywood.
"We share the goal of making movies solely with women at the center of the story," said Papandrea during the panel that was moderated by Will Packer.
The two have already produced female-centered movies such as Gone Girl, Wild, and Hot Pursuit. But even though their focus is on stories about women, the two clarified that they are not making movies only for women.
"The films we make aren't for women, they're not chick flicks," said Witherspoon. "Women make up 50 percent of the population, so we should make up 50 percent of the roles and stories in movies."
The actress added that it's not a crazy thought since it is a mere representation of reality. She also said that the desire to produce movies started three years ago, when she noticed that there was a decrease in women roles.
"I was just reading scripts, and the scripts were sort of diminishing. I just started to notice they were making less movies for women, and that meant less parts for women," she said.
Her husband agent Jim Toth then suggested that she buy books herself and start making movies, and that is how Gone Girl and Wild came about. Both did extremely well at the box office and Witherspoon hopes to continue that streak.
"We are looking for great female parts. If she's the girlfriend or the wife, probably don't send it to us," said Witherspoon of the material they're on the lookout for.
She and her partner agree though that they have a long way to go to develop opportunities for women, both in front of and behind the camera, but it's something they are eager to take on.
Witherspoon said that she started acting at such an early age and that is why she already knows the ropes when it comes to making movies.
"I feel like it starts very, very young. Women aren't getting those critical internships when they're 18, 19, 20," she said. "The best way to learn how to make a movie or a television show is to be standing on set."
