The actress and director Expresses Fury Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Female Professionals
The renowned actress and filmmaker has stated she is “so angry” that progress for women in the film industry have reversed after a brief period of improvement following the MeToo movement.
Stewart, who helmed the upcoming film her latest project, delivered an emotional address at a women’s luncheon in LA organized by the Academy behind the awards.
“The regression from a short period of progress is statistically devastating,” she told the audience. “Such a pitiful number of films from the previous year have been directed by female filmmakers.”
A yearly study that tracks the presence of women directors stated that 11 of the top 100 films of 2024 were helmed by female directors, a decrease from sixteen in 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
In her address, Stewart said: “In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that stories created by and for females were finally getting their due. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to express ourselves and our common stories, all of our experiences without filter.
“But I can now attest to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the material is too grim, too controversial, 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 many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, it’s like we’re not even supposed to be angry. But I can eat this podium with a fork and [expletive] knife. I’m furious.”
The guests listening to Stewart’s speech featured a number of well-known female stars.
Stewart was met with several rounds of applause during the duration of her seven-minute speech.
“I appreciate you,” she said. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework that pretends to want to hang out with us while draining our assets and belittling our true perspectives. Let’s try and not be tokenised. It’s time to create our own value.”
Upcoming projects from a few women filmmakers are in the running for the forthcoming Oscars race, but the best director category is once again expected to be dominated by men.
