Women are shockingly underrepresented in Hollywood, both in front of an behind the camera. As directors, they make only 4%— that's not a typo— of the film industry's major movies, even though they comprise a majority of moviegoers.
Despite the bleak numbers, women have directed movies that occupy a massive space in pop culture, with films like "Wonder Woman,""Lady Bird,""Zero Dark Thirty,""Big,""Clueless,""American Psycho,""Citizenfour," and many others.
And women have also created hundreds of lesser-known great movies, many of which are highlighted here.
Here are 22 great movies that were directed by women and you've probably never heard of.
"Toni Erdmann" (2016) by Maren Ade
Maren Ade's movie is about a woman working in international consulting whose dad tries to reconnect with her by wearing false teeth, a wig, and pretending to be a high-roller named "Toni Erdmann." It sounds like an awful Adam Sandler comedy, but Ade's direction and the incredible performances make the movie both touching and hilarious.
"Middle of Nowhere" (2012) by Ava DuVernay
Before Ava DuVernay blew away critics with "Selma," won an Oscar with "The 13th," or became the first black woman to direct a $100 million-budget movie with "A Wrinkle in Time," she got herself on the map with "Middle of Nowhere." Starring Emayatzy Corinealdi and David Oyelowo, it's a harrowing drama about a woman who drops out of medical school after her husband goes to prison.
"An Angel at My Table" (1990) by Jane Campion
Jane Campion is one of the most acclaimed female directors in history, with projects like the Oscar-winning "The Piano" and her miniseries "Top of the Lake."
"An Angel at My Table" is one of her earlier works, a rich biopic of the author Janet Frame, based on her autobiographies.
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