Kristen Stewart Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Women
Kristen Stewart has declared she is “furious” that advancements for women in the film industry have reversed after a brief period of improvement post the MeToo movement.
Stewart, who helmed the forthcoming film her latest project, delivered an impassioned speech at a female-focused event in Los Angeles organized by the Academy behind the awards.
“The regression from a brief moment of advancement is alarming by the numbers,” she informed attendees. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been directed by female filmmakers.”
An annual report that tracks the numbers of women directors stated that 11 of the top 100 films of last year were helmed by female directors, down from sixteen in 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
In her address, Stewart remarked: “In a post-MeToo moment, it appeared likely 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, every aspect of our lives unfiltered.
“However, I can confirm to the intense struggle that it takes every step when the material is too grim, too taboo, when the frankness with which it presents insights about situations routinely experienced by women, frequently provokes disgust and rejection.”
She added: “We can talk about wage gaps and menstrual product taxes and quantify the imbalance in lots of quantifiable ways. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I could devour this stand with a fork and [expletive] knife. I’m so angry.”
Attendees hearing Stewart’s speech included several prominent actresses.
Stewart received several rounds of applause over the course of her brief talk.
“I am thankful to you,” she stated. “I do not thank a boys’ club business model that pretends to want to associate 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 among those for the next Academy Awards, but the top directing award is once again expected to be male in majority.
