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 progress for female directors in Hollywood have reversed after a brief period of improvement following the MeToo movement.
Stewart, who directed the upcoming film The Chronology of Water, delivered an impassioned address at a female-focused event in LA hosted by the Academy behind the awards.
“The regression from a brief moment of advancement is statistically devastating,” she informed attendees. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been made by women.”
A yearly study that monitors the presence of female filmmakers revealed that 11 of the highest-grossing films of last year were helmed by female directors, down from 16 in the year 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
In her address, Stewart said: “In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that stories made by and for women were finally getting their due. That we could be permitted or even supported to share our views and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered.
“However, I can confirm to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the content is too grim, too taboo, when the honesty with which it serves up observations about situations commonly faced by females, frequently provokes aversion and dismissal.”
She continued: “We can discuss pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and measure [inequality] in lots of quantifiable ways. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I can eat this podium with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m furious.”
The guests hearing Stewart’s speech featured several prominent actresses.
Stewart was met with several rounds of applause during the duration of her brief talk.
“I appreciate you,” she stated. “I do not thank a boys’ club business model that claims to desire to associate with us while siphoning our resources and diminishing our genuine viewpoints. We must avoid being used as tokens. Let’s start printing our own currency.”
Upcoming projects from several female directors are among those for the next Academy Awards, but the best director category is once again expected to be dominated by men.
