The "Side-Eye" of Gender Roles
Author Name: Ngo Saosethisak
Background: Freelance Digital Imaging Technician (DIT)
When I was young and watched TV, I was impressed by how cool and glamorous the film industry was because of the flashy spotlights, the red carpet, public celebrations, and journalists surrounding everyone just to take a piece of something from the crews and the talents, so if they got to be there, they must be so special and skilled.
However, what I did not know back then was that behind the scenes, there is a structured working system that allows the whole production to complete a project; it isn't just one or two people doing it alone. And there is this invisible, exhausting raw reality behind the screen, where a stark disparity exists: technical film production remains strictly male-dominated. This hasn't just happened recently, but stretches back over decades.
According to the 28-year Living Archive, the percentage of women cinematographers rose from 4% in 1998 to only 7% in 2025. In the specialised world behind the camera, this gap is even wider. While women are encouraged to take on administrative, directing, or financing roles, they are rarely channelled into the technical engine of production.
Although there are many roles in the film industry, one key role is the Digital Imaging Technician (DIT), acting as a safeguard between the camera crew and post-production. While this role is almost exclusively occupied by men, women working in this role can sometimes receive the “side-eye” look.
While it is not necessarily hostile, it's a silent question mark about whether a woman can manage high-stakes data workflows, a subtle scepticism from crews who are not used to seeing a woman handle the crucial keys to their visual media.
While you might see more women highlighted in local film industry PR or social media, actual opportunities for mentorship, training, and professional growth remain limited. Because the presence of women in technical roles is still developing, it will take time for current female crew members to build the experience needed to mentor incoming talent. As a result, visible role models remain scarce. Furthermore, because recruitment and training often happen through private, informal networks, the entry path remains hard to navigate for anyone looking to step in from the outside.
Behind the Midnight Wrap
Women may also face questions like, “Aren’t you scared to ride home alone at this hour?” While the question might not have sounded like a direct threat, this kind of question reflects the stereotype that persists today. It causes women to doubt: “Would people still ask them that question if they were men?” Our society has grown so used to it that we have normalised it as something okay. We have seen these patterns passed down from previous generations, and we have adapted to them.
We grew up believing that if work involves physical strain or technical equipment, men should do it, while women should take on softer, easier tasks. While physical strength may differ naturally, when it comes to human capability and intelligence, there should not be a gender boundary at all.
Why Women Belong Behind the Camera
Should women still enter the film industry? Absolutely, without a doubt. While it is true that there might be technical terms or skills that need to be learned and adapted as a beginner, none of that should limit someone’s potential to create art and share it with the world at all. While it is not easy to navigate this path alone at first, the experience, network, and skills gained over time are far beyond what was expected before joining the industry.
For me, while I am happy with what I am doing right now in the film industry, I am still trying to figure out my next steps. I believe there are many unknown things I can accomplish, and that isn't just a daydream or wishful thinking. Moreover, there are patterns and lessons learned from seniors that keep inspiring me by how they worked their way up from small roles until reaching positions they truly enjoy and feel content with today.
I hope that whenever women enter roles that are male-dominated, they never have to face those "side-eye" looks, the invisible judgement, or the silent doubt. When they step onto a set for a project they were hired for, I hope they are remembered solely for their skill, talent, and commitment to doing the job well because that is what truly proves they deserve to be there. And bit by bit, we are reshaping what it means to belong in the room.
About the author: Ngo Saosethisak is a freelance Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) based in Phnom Penh. Alongside managing data workflows behind the camera, she writes personal essays reflecting on identity, growth, and the quiet realities of daily life and work.
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