Director, Writer, Producer: Gina Prince Bythewood

It's common knowledge that the film world lacks a strong presence of female directors - especially black female directors. Gina Prince Bythewood has left her mark on the film industry as not only a director but a writer and producer, she's a triple threat. Although she's not credited for a long list of films, she continues to be a woman to watch. In her case quality is much more important than quantity. She chooses her projects carefully and maintains a strong female message within them.

An an auteur, her work has become recognizable to those who follow her. One of the common issues seen in her films is the fact that at some point in a woman's life she always has to choose between doing what makes her happy and doing what society expects from her. Unfortunately, this is truly a common dilemma faced by women. She attacks this idea in all three of her well known films.

In her 2000 feature film, Love and Basketball, the main character, Monica Wright, is forced to choose between her love of basketball and being there for her boyfriend. When she chooses basketball she has to deal with the consequences - losing her relationship. On the surface this may seem like the typical message but Monica makes no apologies for her ambitions and in the end she gets to have both - her career and her family. Although I am sure there are several interpretations of the message given by this film, we can ignore the obvious... In the end the woman does not have to give up what's important to her in order to get her man. Gina Prince Bythewood's writing implies that as women we can be career driven wives and mothers - we do not have to choose between the two.
According to the introduction of "Making Movie Magic" by Bell Hooks, films effect their audiences whether its concsiously or subconsciously: "Whether we like it or not, cinema assumes a pedagogical role in the lives of many people. It may not be the intent of a filmmaker to teach audiences anything, but that does not mean that lessons are not learned." As the writer and director of Love and Basketball, Gina had the opportunity to teach the audiences something different from what they normally see. She could have gone the traditional way and made Monica come to the realization that her following her dreams is selfish and it's her duty to be supportive to her "Man". How many times have we seen that? But instead she took a chance and created a film that she really believed in.

This film is art imitating life, just replace basketball with film. Her husband is also a director/writer/producer and although he has had some successes - he has not been able to really breakthrough. Gina could have done what so many have done before her and what most people believe Monica should have done in her film - put her dreams aside and help develop and support her husband's career. But she didn't and it worked out for her. She continues to work most recently with her adaptation of "The Secret Life of Bees", all the while being a wife and mother to her two sons.

Sources
Celebrating Love and Basketball - http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/06/29/gina-prince-bythewood-love-and-basketball-interview-abff/

Reel Lady: Gina Prince Bythewood - http://reelladies.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/reel-lady-gina-prince-bythewood/

Images
http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Prince-Bythewood,_Gina/gallery/ALO-058009/
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/love-basketball/