The actress and director Voices Anger Over The Film Industry's Regression for Female Professionals
The renowned actress and filmmaker has stated she is “so angry” that advancements for female directors in Hollywood have reversed after a brief period of improvement post the MeToo movement.
The Twilight star, who helmed the upcoming film The Chronology of Water, gave an impassioned speech at a women’s luncheon in Los Angeles organized by the Oscars organization.
“The regression from a brief moment of advancement is statistically devastating,” she informed attendees. “Such a pitiful number of films from the previous year have been directed by female filmmakers.”
An annual report that tracks the numbers of women directors revealed that eleven of the highest-grossing films of last year were helmed by female directors, a decrease from 16 in the year 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
During her speech, Stewart said: “In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that narratives created by and for females were finally getting their due. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to share our views 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 taboo, when the honesty with which it presents insights about situations commonly faced by females, often elicits disgust and rejection.”
She added: “We can talk about pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and quantify the imbalance in many measurable forms. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I can eat this podium with a fork and [expletive] knife. I’m furious.”
The guests listening to Stewart’s speech featured several prominent actresses.
Stewart received 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 pretends to want to associate with us while siphoning our resources and diminishing our genuine viewpoints. 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 next Academy Awards, but the top directing award is once again expected to be male in majority.
