Kristen Stewart Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Female Professionals
Kristen Stewart has declared she is “furious” that advancements for female directors in the film industry have reversed after a short-lived surge of improvement following the MeToo movement.
Stewart, who helmed the forthcoming film The Chronology of Water, gave an impassioned speech at a women’s luncheon in LA organized by the Academy behind the awards.
“The regression from a short period of advancement is statistically devastating,” she told the audience. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been directed by female filmmakers.”
A yearly study that tracks the presence of female filmmakers stated that 11 of the highest-grossing films of last year were helmed by female directors, down from 16 in 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
In her address, Stewart said: “In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that narratives made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to share our views and our shared experiences, all of our experiences without filter.
“However, I can confirm to the bare-knuckle brawling that it requires at each stage when the content is too grim, too taboo, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about experiences commonly faced by females, often elicits aversion and dismissal.”
She continued: “We can talk about wage gaps and taxes on tampons and measure [inequality] in many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I can eat this podium with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.”
Attendees listening to Stewart’s address included a number of well-known female stars.
Stewart received several rounds of applause during the duration of her seven-minute speech.
“I am thankful to you,” she said. “I am not grateful a male-centric industry framework that claims to desire to associate with us while draining our assets and belittling our true perspectives. We must avoid being used as tokens. It’s time to create our own value.”
Upcoming projects from several female directors are in the running for the next Academy Awards, but the best director category is once again expected to be male in majority.
