The Belcourt to Host Film and Seminar Series on 'Hollywood's Gender Problem'

Roughly three weeks ago, Hollywood exploded with news that longtime super-producer Harvey Weinstein — known for his work on Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, The King's Speech and much more — has paid off sexual harassment accusers for decades. More and more news of Weinstein's alleged assault and harassment of women surfaced, and the producer was ultimately fired from The Weinstein Co. But the conversation didn't end there. Over the past month, countless more women — in the film industry and elsewhere — have courageously stepped forward to tell their own stories of harassment and assault. A real discussion is taking place about the systemic nature of abuse in mainstream culture, and it's an important conversation.

Naturally, the folks who run Nashville's nonprofit arthouse and film center are interested in being a part of that conversation. Today the Belcourt announced a repertory film series they're calling Fifty Cents for Your Soul: Women and the Show Business Boys' Club, along with an accompanying three-part lecture series, Hollywood's Gender Problem. The repertory series, which takes its name from this apparent Marilyn Monroe quote, will take place in November and December and will feature six films: Jane B. Par Agnès V.; Bombshell; 42nd Street; Beware of a Holy Whore; Dance, Girl, Dance; and In a Lonely Place.

Each of the three seminars will be hosted by female member of Vanderbilt University's faculty, and the topics include: Who's Telling the Story and Why Does It Matter?; Gender in Film Criticism: The Voice of Authority; and Separating Art From Artist: Where Do We Draw the Line? Tickets for the full seminar are $30 ($25 for members) and $12 for individual sessions ($10 for members).

“I'm especially interested in drawing connections between female representation in film and abuse of power behind the scenes," says Belcourt education and engagement director Allison Inman. "I hope this is a turning point in the industry and that we'll soon see a rise of female directors making films from a woman's point of view."

See more information and a full schedule at the Belcourt's site, and check out a teaser trailer below.