Kristen Stewart Expresses Fury Over The Film Industry's Backsliding for Women
Kristen Stewart has stated she is “furious” that advancements for female directors in the film industry have reversed after a brief period of positive change post the #MeToo era.
Stewart, who helmed the forthcoming film her latest project, gave an emotional address at a women’s luncheon in Los Angeles hosted by the Oscars organization.
“The regression from a brief moment 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 numbers of women directors revealed that 11 of the highest-grossing films of 2024 were helmed by female directors, down from 16 in 2020.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
During her speech, Stewart remarked: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that stories made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even supported to share our views and our common stories, all of our experiences unfiltered.
“However, I can confirm to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the material is too grim, too taboo, when the frankness with which it presents insights about situations routinely experienced by women, frequently provokes aversion and dismissal.”
She continued: “We can talk about pay disparities and taxes on tampons and quantify the imbalance in lots of quantifiable ways. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not even supposed to be angry. But I could devour this stand with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.”
The guests listening to Stewart’s speech included a number of well-known female stars.
Stewart received multiple ovations during the duration of her brief talk.
“I appreciate you,” she stated. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework that pretends to want to associate with us while draining our assets and belittling our true perspectives. Let’s try and not be tokenised. 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 top directing award is anticipated again to be male in majority.
