The actress and director Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Women
The renowned actress and filmmaker has stated she is “furious” that advancements for women in the film industry have gone backwards after a brief period of improvement post the #MeToo era.
The Twilight star, who directed the upcoming film her latest project, gave an impassioned speech at a female-focused event in Los Angeles hosted by the Oscars organization.
“The backsliding from a brief moment of progress is alarming by the numbers,” she informed attendees. “Such a pitiful number of films from the previous year have been made by women.”
A yearly study that tracks the presence of women directors revealed that 11 of the top 100 films of last year were directed by women, a decrease from 16 in 2020.
‘Male-Dominated Industry Model’
In her address, Stewart remarked: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that stories made by and for women were finally getting their due. That we might be allowed or even supported to share our views and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered.
“But I can now attest to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the content is too grim, too taboo, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about situations commonly faced by females, frequently provokes aversion and dismissal.”
She continued: “We can talk about pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and measure [inequality] in many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I could devour this stand with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m furious.”
Attendees hearing Stewart’s address included a number of well-known female stars.
Stewart was met with several rounds of applause over the course of her brief talk.
“I appreciate you,” she said. “I do not thank 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. Let’s start printing our own currency.”
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 male in majority.
