It’s great when the NAACP or the African American Film Critics put out their nominations because they specifically emphasize the work of African American or black artists. Bravo to them for doing that, for ignoring the snooty critics looking down their noses at politically correct choices. The Alliance for Women’s Film Journalists (I used to be a member) announced their nominations and they look like any other nominations you’d see just about anywhere. They’re fine and all, but after so many groups have rung in, what does anyone care? Sure, it’s nice to hear that oh hey, the consensus is still all in agreement. And no self-respecting female journalist would ever be caught dead choosing “just because.” Melissa Silverstein at Women in Hollywood puts in a tireless effort to advance women in film, and she really does do a lot of good. But I thought I would present a list of nominees that might exist if a really smart group of women named their choices — and stayed close to films by and about women. I know it will never happen, because for most women the idea that they should pick a film directed by a woman “just because” is an insult to them. Our tastes all bend towards one norm: cis white male. As this hideous election just proved.
So here we go: “500 women” from all over the country have named their choices for best of 2016, with a specific emphasis on women.
Best Picture
Arrival
Miss Sloane
Queen of Katwe
The Fits
American Honey
Hidden Figures
The Witch
Certain Women
13th
Toni Erdmann
20th Century Women
Best Director
Mira Nair, Queen of Katwe
Anna Rose Holmer, The Fits
Andrea Arnold, American Honey
Kelly Reichart, Certain Women
Amma Assante, A United Kingdom
Ava DuVernay, 13th
Maren Ade, Toni Erdmann
Best Actress
Amy Adams, Arrival
Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane
Ruth Negga, Loving
Madina Nalwanga, Queen of Katwe
Sasha Lane, American Honey
Royalty Hightower, The Fits
Isabelle Huppert, Things to Come
Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures
Emma Stone, La La Land
Amy Adams, Nocturnal Animals
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch
Annette Bening, 20th Century Women
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins
Sally Field, Hello My Name is Doris
Sandra Hüller, Toni Erdmann
Best Actor
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Denzel Washington, Fences
Jake Gyllenhaal, Nocturnal Animals
David Oyelowo, A United Kingdom
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann
Best Supporting Actress
Viola Davis, Fences
Lupita Nyong’o, Queen of Katwe
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Janelle Monae, Moonlight and Hidden Figures
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Greta Gerwig, 20th Century Women
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Miss Sloane
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea
Laura Dern, Certain Women
Elle Fanning, 20th Century Women
Kristen Stewart, Certain Women
Kristen Stwart, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Best Supporting Actor
Kevin Costner, Hidden Figures
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Issey Ogata, Silence
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
David Oyelowo, Queen of Katwe
Best Screenplay
Hidden Figures
Certain Women
Miss Sloane
Arrival
Queen of Katwe
Best Documentary
13th
The Ivory Trade
Tower
Cameraperson
The Eagle Huntress
Original Score
Jackie, Mica Levi
“Armenia, My Love”
“Bleed for This” Julia Holter
“Elle” Anne Dudley
“Race” Rachel Portman
Cinematography
Fences, Charlotte Bruus Christensen
The Girl on the Train, Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Neon Demon, Natasha Braier
Editing
Manchester by the Sea, Jennifer Lame
Moonlight, Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders
Silence, Thelma Schoonmaker
Love & Friendship, Sophie Corra
The Witch, Louise Ford
20th Century Women, Leslie Jones
Loving, Julie Monroe
In the imaginary women’s group we didn’t impose the usual restrictions on certain categories because it’s imaginary. Anything I missed?
