What inspired you to enter Under Her Eye?

I’ve always been obsessed with film and pop culture. I desperately wanted to find my way in but I didn’t know how. And frankly I didn’t think there was a place for me. Then my aunt sent the competition link to our family group chat and I thought to myself, “Girl, if you don’t get it together and take a chance…” and here I am!

What film did you review?

Bridget Jones’s Diary, one of the best rom-coms there ever was. There are so many things I love about it. Our heroine’s messy work/personal life, her witty inner musings (Mr Titspervert indeed) and her endearing verbal diarrhoea that is so relatable when all you want is someone to think how interesting and smart you are. Let’s not forget Mr Darcy, the stoic, stiff upper-lipped barrister who, for all his shortcomings, loves our Bridget. I just love, love.

Why do we need more representation in the film critic community?

Representation is a word bandied about, but I cannot stress how important it is. The audience of a film is diverse, so why aren’t the critics? Before I watch a film, I look online at reviews and it’s always the same voices: middle class, older and white male. That voice isn’t representative of mine or many others. As a young black Muslim girl, I thought it wasn’t possible for me, in large part because of not seeing myself out there. So, if the narrative of what films are worth seeing is in the control of the powerful few (men), ones that are not relatable to them can go unnoticed, especially projects headed by women. Obviously, this has an impact on whether a film is a success at the box office because that’s what it boils down to nowadays. Which can lead to less coverage of and funding for diverse films. This cannot continue.

Which women in the film industry should we be excited about?

There are so many from Letitia Wright’s star turn in Black Panther showing us her comedic timing, to Florence Pugh whose new film Outlaw King is sitting pretty on my Netflix list. Not to mention Cynthia Erivo from Widows who has been cast in the Harriet Tubman biopic. I’m excited to review them.

Under Her Eye: meet the women who will change the way you think about film