The$female$gaze:$Discussing$the$filming$of$
Hustlers$with$cinematographer$Todd$
Banhazl$
by#Mads#Lennon##
Hustlers is a highly-anticipated new film about a group of strippers who plan to take their power
back as they hustle the wealthy men of Wall Street men during the late-2000s financial crisis.
The movie is based on the 2015 New York magazine article, The Hustlers at Scores, by Jessica
Pressler. It is being directed and written by Lorene Scafaria and contains an all-star cast of
actresses including Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart,
Lizzo, and Cardi B.
When you think about a movie starring strippers, it’s easy to point out many in the past that have
exploited their female characters through sexual means, often with violence included. We had
the chance to speak with Hustlers‘ cinematographer, Todd Banhazl about how his vision for the
film involved giving their power back to them and not utilizing male gaze-y camera techniques.
We also discuss his previous work with artists like Janelle Monae and how Hustlers is a crazy
cross between Clueless and Wolf of Wall Street.
Hidden Remote: What initially intrigued you about Hustlers?
Todd Banhazl: What initially intrigued me about the project is exactly what is in the trailer. I
wanted to see women who are strippers in roles of power. It’s good to see a movie that treats
them like they are bad*sses and a movie where we can love the criminals.
HR: When you first approached the film, did you already have an idea in mind of how you
wanted it to look on-camera?
TB: When I first met with Lorene, the director, I had ideas about wanting to shoot the movie in
ways we usually shoot men. I wanted to make a crime epic. I think Lorene had similar ideas, so
we connected immediately on that. From there, we built the rest together.
HR: I’ve seen people saying this movie is like Wolf of Wall Street but from a female
perspective, would you say that’s accurate?
TB: Yes, I think that’s accurate. I think Wolf of Wall Street was a benchmark for us.
