The Riveted Team is so thrilled to welcome Sandhya Menon, author of When Dimple Met Rishi on this International Women’s Day. We asked her to talk about her favorite female filmmakers and what she loves about them. Just like in the upcoming From Twinkle, with Love, we’re so grateful for the amazing women who make incredible art to share with the world. Thanks so much, Sandhya!
Mira Nair
Fave quote: Making films is about having absolute and foolish confidence; the challenge for all of us is to have the heart of a poet and the skin of an elephant. (I so relate to that as a novelist!)
Why I love her: Monsoon Wedding kind of put Indian weddings and movies on the map in the Western world. Mira Nair is the feminist, mega-talented Desi artist I want to be when I grow up!
Ava DuVernay
Fave quote: If your dream is only about you, it’s too small.
Why I love her: Ava DuVernay is a queen. She’s so full of talent and ambition and passion, it’s impossible to read about her or view her work and not get swept up in that.
Sofia Coppola
Fave quote: I’m always a sucker for a love story.
Why I love her: A lot of Sofia Coppola’s movies are about outsiders looking in and yearning to be part of something. I love that theme, especially as someone who writes for adolescents. That yearning is something almost everyone can relate to.
Haifaa al-Mansour
Fave quote: No one will give you change. You have to work for it.
Why I love her: Haifaa is the first female Saudi Arabian filmmaker, and an unstoppable, amazingly mellow force to be reckoned with. Watch her groundbreaking film Wadjda and I guarantee you’ll never look at a bicycle the same way again.
