What's Wrong with 'Female' Directors? Part Two: Amy Pascal Speaks Out

Forbes interviewed Sony exec Amy Pascal, the only Hollywood studio head who is a woman, about the lack of women helmed movies, among other topics.

Sony's Zero Dark Thirty was the only Oscar Best Picture nominee to star a woman and be directed by a woman. It was also financed by Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison. Pascal is now pairing up with Nancy Meyers for her latest film.

Pascal says she considers it her responsibility to make movies that will attract women.

"Because I love movies about women. I love women. I've always cared about making movies about women my entire career. We probably hire more female directors here - if there are any- we do it because we want to and we do it because we have to.  We made lots of movies with Nora Ephron, with Nancy Meyers, with Catherine Hardwicke, with Kathryn Bigelow. That's an agenda for us," Pascal said.

While it's easy to point out Pascal doesn't have an "answer" for the lack of equality in Hollywood, it's also easy to forget that even a few years ago, there were no Amy Pascals at the head of studios.

Pascal also pointed out in the case of some directors, they are simply more choosy about their projects than their male counterparts might be.

"I have begged Kathryn Bigelow to make Spiderman, James Bond anything I can think of.  So far I haven't hooked her. I think it is about women showing up and saying that's what they want and not taking no for an answer," Pascal said.

Hollywood needs more women like Pascal. Although she may not have an answer, at least she is doing her part to get more films by women and for women made.