Women who lead
It’s that time of year when we celebrate achievements in the film industry, with the BAFTA awards in February and the Oscars on 12 March. We talk to five women who all have starring roles in this hugely important industry
‘I like to tell stories that have humanity – we need empathy more than ever’
Having been on film sets with my father, Albert, since I was a young child, I saw his passion for filmmaking and it was infectious. I remember when I was seven, my father produced Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and, as a present for my sister’s birthday, we were both allowed to appear in the background for the carnival scene. I was always trying to help him, although I imagine I was just being a nuisance.
In 1995, my half-brother, Michael G Wilson, and I took over Eon Productions, which is best known for producing the Bond films. Our father trained us with on-set experience and we get on remarkably well because we have a similar sensibility. Still, even with this experience, I felt it was important to go to film school to learn about the history of film and critical film theory.
The Bond films have been going for 61 years, and I think Bond has evolved at the same rate that men have – in fact, probably more. Daniel Craig made a tremendous difference, showing the humanity of Bond. We felt that when Daniel’s James Bond retired the role, it would require someone with tremendous balls to take on the 007 moniker.
Although I’m best known for producing the Bond films, I want to help tell the stories of women from all backgrounds. The film I just produced, Till, about civil rights activist Mamie Till-Mobley, is an example of that. The lynching of her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, by two white men in 1955 shocked America. When Keith Beauchamp, who helped produce this movie, saw a photo of Emmett when he was 10, he dedicated the rest of his life to making sure this story was never forgotten. When Keith told me the story of Mamie and Emmett Till 18 years ago, I was so interested in how a mother had turned her pain into purpose in the depths of grief that I decided then and there to help him make the film.
It’s been a long journey because people didn’t want to support it; they thought it was too sad and people wouldn’t want to see it. But we stuck with it, and Whoopi Goldberg – who has been my friend for 35 years – joined our fight to get it filmed. Then, three years ago, we met our director, Chinonye Chukwu, who was very specific about how to tell the story. She didn’t want to focus on Mamie’s trauma but on her as an inspiration.
I like to tell stories that have humanity, as I believe this is a time in the world where we need empathy more than ever. Even Bond is a hero; he doesn’t do it for his own personal gain but for the betterment of the world. He did it for Queen a
