Sharing the "Secret" - Female Filmmakers Rise to the Moment

Woman's Equality Day celebrated on August 26th, commemorates the hard-fought battle for a woman's right to vote in the United States and serves as a reminder of the continuing struggle for equal rights and opportunities worldwide in all aspects of life. 

It's a time to reflect on the progress and work that still lies ahead. Achieving true equality requires dismantling systemic barriers, challenging stereotypes, and fostering inclusivity. 

Woman's Equality Day serves as a rallying point to inspire action, celebrate achievements, and galvanize support for a more equitable future for all genders in every field, including the film industry. 

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, we will celebrate the feats of outstanding female directors in TheArchive’s Female Director's Collection. The Archive has dozens of Female Directed titles, including this week's focus Sharing the Secret, directed by Katt Shea, who also directed The Rage Carrie 2 and the newest Nancy Drew studio release. 

The TV movie Sharing the Secret takes a fresh approach to the theme of a teenage girl struggling with an eating disorder. Written by Lauren Currier and produced by Robert Greenwald, the story revolves around a mother and daughter dealing with the daughter's bulimia. 

The portrayal is sensitive and avoids sensationalism, offering a clear and powerful depiction of the daughter's condition. The exceptional acting, particularly by Alison Lohman as Beth, showcases her challenges – late-night bingeing, divorce pressures, school, and body changes. 

The cast includes award-winning actress Mare Winningham as Beth's mother and therapist, Dr. Nina Moss, and Tim Matheson as Winningham's ex-husband, John. "Sharing the Secret" sends a strong message about the destructive nature of teen eating disorders, encouraging dialogue between parents and teenagers about their causes, effects, and treatment options. The portrayal of a teenager in crisis, combined with its hope-inspiring narrative, has earned Sharing the Secret a Peabody Award for its impactful and candid storytelling. 

Male voices and perspectives have long dominated the world of film, but a cultural shift is happening in real-time, and its driving force is none other than the talented Greta Gerwig. Known for her distinct storytelling and wit, Gerwig's impact on the industry is undeniable. Her success is not just confined to her critically acclaimed films like Lady Bird and Little Women, but also includes her wildly successful, billion-dollar box office hit, Barbie. Greta Gerwig has made history as Barbie scores the biggest opening weekend ever for a female director and is now the highest grossing domestic film in Warner Brother's history, surpassing The Dark Knight.

Gerwig's influence is not limited to her directorial prowess alone. Her success has shattered stereotypes and has proven that female directors can create powerful and commercially successful films that resonate with a global audience.

More opportunities will open up for female directors to showcase their creativity, unique viewpoints, and storytelling finesse. As the world becomes more receptive to diverse stories and voices, thanks to trailblazers like Greta Gerwig and Katt Shea and projects like Barbie and Sharing the Secret, the future of cinema is poised to be richer, more inclusive, and more reflective of the world we live in.

As we honor Women's Equality Day, let's celebrate the progress made and also acknowledge that the journey toward equality is far from over. Like many other fields, the film industry is transforming thanks to remarkable women who are breaking barriers and shattering norms. Greta Gerwig's pioneering success with the Barbie movie, alongside Katt Shea's poignant film Sharing the Secret, exemplifies the evolving landscape of cinema.

TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and classic TV. From indies and series, to Oscar winning documentaries, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Marilyn, Karloff, and Orson Welles stream alongside Reese, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. Find true stories of Queen, Hendrix, and Sinatra, an LGBTQ library, MLK bios, and world history docs. TheArchive has the movies and shows you either saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now!