The actress and director Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Regression for Female Professionals
The renowned actress and filmmaker has stated she is “so angry” that advancements for female directors in the film industry have gone backwards after a short-lived surge of improvement post the MeToo movement.
Stewart, who directed the forthcoming film The Chronology of Water, gave an emotional speech at a female-focused event in LA hosted by the Oscars organization.
“The regression from a brief moment of advancement is statistically devastating,” she told the audience. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the previous year have been made by women.”
A yearly study that monitors the numbers of female filmmakers revealed that 11 of the highest-grossing films of last year were directed by women, a decrease from sixteen in 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
In her address, Stewart remarked: “After the MeToo movement, it seemed possible that stories made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to express ourselves and our common stories, every aspect of our lives unfiltered.
“But I can now attest to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step when the content is too grim, too taboo, when the honesty with which it serves up observations about situations commonly faced by females, often elicits disgust and rejection.”
She continued: “We can talk about pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and quantify the imbalance in many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, it’s like we’re not even supposed to be angry. But I could devour this stand with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.”
Attendees listening to Stewart’s speech included several prominent actresses.
Stewart received multiple ovations over the course of her seven-minute speech.
“I am thankful to you,” she stated. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework that claims to desire to associate with us while siphoning our resources and belittling our true perspectives. Let’s try and not be tokenised. It’s time to create our own value.”
New films from several female directors are in the running for the next Academy Awards, but the top directing award is anticipated again to be male in majority.
