“I was born a man - I'm close to myself”: Israeli film directors and cinema in the MeToo era

The MeToo movement exposed distinct inequalities between men and women on and offscreen. It shed light on the latent politics of power relations between the sexes and tremendously influenced various aspects of Israeli social life. Nevertheless, the question, addressed in this study, of how senior male film directors perceive the change in the gender power dynamics, has not yet been sufficiently addressed. This qualitative study is composed of semi-structured extended interviews with 13 award-winning Israeli directors, who are in the second half of their lives. Applying interpretative phenomenological analysis, the findings indicate that the directors acknowledged that the power relations between men and women have changed. However, the findings also demonstrate remaining difficulties and a backlash in reaction to the change. Based on the findings, two models have emerged. The first, The Phases of Change, demonstrates the process of change as consisting of awareness, avoidance, diversity, women's stardom and support. The second, The Cycle of Perseverance, elaborates the resistance to change as consisting of tokenism, neutrality, androcentrism and persistence. •Male directors recognize that power relations between men and women have changed. Yet, remaining difficulties in response to the change.•The model The Phases of Change depicts the process of change as consisting of awareness, avoidance, diversity, women's stardom.•The model The Cycle of Perseverance elaborates the resistance to change as consisting of tokenism, neutrality, androcentrism, and persistence.•Gender imbalance in the film industry continues to feed itself since male and female directors continue to view films made mainly from the male perspective.•In order for the change to continue and spread, more men and women directors who actively change the way women are depicted onscreen are needed.