The film Woman Unknown has become a focal point at the Venice Film Festival after initially being announced as the only film by a woman in the main competition; the later addition of the documentary Naza, co-directed by Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, means May el-Toukhy is now the only woman directing a fiction film among the 21 Golden Lion contenders. Director May el-Toukhy, a Denmark-born Danish-Egyptian filmmaker, spoke about her experience with gender disparities in the industry during a press conference held on Sunday. She said that after the MeToo movement, the industry became acutely aware of gender imbalance, but that in recent years it has begun returning toward earlier patterns. El-Toukhy described her own struggles to complete her first film following graduation from film school, emphasizing how difficult it was to break into the industry. She also mentioned that the systemic nature of gender inequality in filmmaking has been a recurring challenge throughout her career.
El-Toukhy also said that securing financing remains more difficult for women directors, with consequences for film budgets, casting possibilities and ultimately whether projects reach major festivals. Her latest work, Woman Unknown, is the third feature film she has directed and follows earlier projects such as Queen of Hearts, which earned the Nordic Council film prize in 2019, according to The Guardian. The director explained that her movie explores themes related to the invisibility of women in society and history. The Nordic Council confirms that Queen of Hearts won its 2019 Film Prize, which was awarded collectively to el-Toukhy, co-screenwriter Maren Louise Käehne and producers Caroline Blanco and René Ezra.
Set in Denmark immediately after World War II, Woman Unknown follows Marie, a young housemaid and nanny who is preparing to marry her wealthy widowed employer when her past relationship with a German soldier during the occupation threatens her new life. The story takes place against the backdrop of the public humiliation and vigilante punishment faced by some Danish women accused of relationships with German soldiers after liberation. The director explained that her movie explores themes related to the invisibility of women in society and history. She added that she was now probably the most-known woman unknown at this year’s festival due to the backlash against the lack of female representation.
The film’s presence in the main competition has drawn attention not only for its artistic merit but also for highlighting ongoing issues within the industry. Critics and observers are now examining how the scarcity of female directors in competition reflects broader changes or lack thereof in gender diversity at major film festivals. El-Toukhy’s statement about the structural problem of gender inequality is consistent with the wider debate surrounding access to financing, opportunities and recognition for female filmmakers. The Guardian’s review described Woman Unknown as a carefully managed postwar drama about survival, shame and political paranoia.
Her remarks reflect a larger conversation happening across the global film community regarding the underrepresentation of women behind the camera. The Venice Film Festival has come under particular scrutiny this year because el-Toukhy is the only woman directing a fiction film among the 21 Golden Lion contenders, while one additional competition documentary has a female co-director. Festival director Alberto Barbera has defended the lineup, saying women directed 24 percent of films submitted to the festival this year, down from 30 percent the previous year, and that selections were made on artistic quality.
Despite the controversy, Woman Unknown stands as a powerful example of storytelling that centers on women's experiences and their often overlooked roles in history. The director’s work continues to spark important discussions about inclusion and visibility for female voices in cinema.