“Halloween” Producer Jason Blum: “There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror”

Jason Blum issued an apology for his previous response to the question of Blumhouse’s failure to hire female directors. When initially asked about the issue, Blum seemed caught off guard. He first claimed that they really try, then he stated, “There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror.” Many were quick to point out his ignorance on social media. In his apology, Blum claimed that lack of opportunity for female directors is “an issue I am passionate about.” The apology felt forced and faked.

The issue with his comments was greater than his underlying sexism. His claim that women directors don’t exist invisibilizes them and delegitimizes their cause. The lack of recognized female directors is not for a lack of options, it is because women are not given the same opportunities. Male producers like Jason Blum continue to symbolically annihilate female directors by not only not representing them but by explicitly saying they are nonexistent.