The actress and director Expresses Fury Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Women
Kristen Stewart has stated she is “so angry” that advancements for women in the film industry have reversed after a short-lived surge of improvement post the MeToo movement.
The Twilight star, who directed the forthcoming film her latest project, gave an emotional speech at a women’s luncheon in LA hosted by the Oscars organization.
“The backsliding from a short period of progress is alarming by the numbers,” she told the audience. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been directed by female filmmakers.”
An annual report that monitors the presence of female filmmakers revealed that 11 of the top 100 films of 2024 were helmed by female directors, a decrease from 16 in the year 2020.
‘Male-Dominated Industry Model’
In her address, Stewart remarked: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that stories created by and for females were finally getting their due. That we might be allowed or even encouraged to express ourselves and our shared experiences, every aspect of our lives unfiltered.
“However, I can confirm to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step when the content is too grim, too controversial, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about situations routinely experienced by women, frequently provokes aversion and dismissal.”
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 could devour this stand with a fork and [expletive] knife. I’m so angry.”
Attendees listening to Stewart’s speech featured several prominent actresses.
Stewart received several rounds of applause during the duration of her brief talk.
“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 siphoning our resources and belittling our true perspectives. We must avoid being used as tokens. 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 anticipated again to be male in majority.
