Kristen Stewart, as she promotes her directorial debut, passionately speaks out about the ongoing gender inequality in Hollywood, highlighting the challenges women face in filmmaking, the backsliding in progress, and the need for greater opportunities and representation for women in the industry.
Kristen Stewart expressed her frustration that progress for women filmmakers in Hollywood has regressed post-MeToo, highlighting the decline in films directed by women and criticizing the industry's ongoing gender inequality and silencing of women's stories.
Elizabeth McGovern reflects on her role in Downton Abbey, her early success in Hollywood, and her ongoing efforts to forge a diverse and independent career, including writing and music, while expressing her views on aging and societal expectations for women.
The article challenges the notion that Martin Scorsese only makes films centered on masculinity by highlighting "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," a film that prominently features women's perspectives. The film, which turns 50 this month, was brought to Scorsese by Ellen Burstyn and involved significant contributions from women like Sandra Weintraub, Marcia Lucas, and Toby Carr Rafelson. Despite its success and influence, the film and its female collaborators have often been overlooked in film history, underscoring the need to recognize women's roles in shaping cinema.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy highlights the struggles women face in the Star Wars franchise due to a male-dominated fanbase, emphasizing the importance of representation. The Acolyte, led by Leslye Headland, will be the first Star Wars TV show created by a woman, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct the first Star Wars film by a woman, focusing on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order. Despite challenges, Headland and Obaid-Chinoy express their dedication and honor in contributing to the iconic series.
Emma Stone's surprise win for best actress at the Oscars was well-deserved for her fearless performance in "Poor Things," while Lily Gladstone's nomination as the first Native American actress in the category marked a significant milestone. The night's awards reflected progress for women and people of color in the film industry, but statistics show that there is still a long way to go for gender equality behind the scenes. The article emphasizes that real empowerment and change in Hollywood require more than just symbolic victories and powerful speeches.
A study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that the representation of women, women of color, and women aged 45+ in films in 2023 dropped to near a 10-year low, despite the success of Barbie at the box office. The study found that only 30% of the top 100 films featured a female-identified actor as a lead or co-lead, down from 44% in 2022. Additionally, the percentage of films with leads/co-leads of color increased, but still lags behind the national percentage of underrepresented people. The study's authors emphasized the need for more diverse representation and urged studios to hire more women behind the camera, as there is a correlation between the identity of the director and the identity of the lead actor.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report reveals that 2023 saw a historic low for women in leading film roles, with only 30 out of the year's top 100 grossing films featuring women and girls in lead or co-lead roles. This marks a significant regression from previous years and highlights a lack of progress in gender representation in the film industry. While there were some gains in racial/ethnic diversity, the report emphasizes that efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Hollywood are falling short, urging the industry to prioritize meaningful change beyond isolated examples of representation.
Mattel introduces the 2024 Barbie Career of the Year, "Women in Film" collection, featuring dolls such as Cinematographer Barbie, Studio Executive Barbie, Director Barbie, and Movie Star Barbie. These dolls aim to inspire girls by showcasing underrepresented careers in the film industry. The collection reflects a push for diversity and inclusivity, with each doll embodying a different role in the filmmaking process.
Mattel has launched a new 'Women in Film' Barbie doll collection, featuring dolls representing women in various film vocations such as directors and studio executives, inspired by the success of Greta Gerwig’s film "Barbie." The collection aims to honor women in the film industry and highlight the opportunities available to young girls in entertainment.
Natalie Portman clarifies that she has never committed to method acting, stating that it's a luxury that women can't afford due to personal responsibilities. Despite her intense preparation for her role in "Black Swan," including rigorous training and weight loss, she emphasizes the difficulty of fully immersing herself in a role while balancing family life.
Natalie Portman, while promoting her new movie "May December," expressed her view that method acting is a "luxury that women can't afford," citing the difficulty of balancing such a strict technique with responsibilities as a parent. She emphasized that immersing oneself in a role to the extent of method acting wouldn't align with family life, referencing her own experiences. This perspective echoes sentiments shared by other actors, including Charlize Theron, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a balance between acting and personal life.
Stars including Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, and Lili Reinhart dazzled on the red carpet at the Women in Film 50th annual gala in Los Angeles. The event celebrated WIF's 50th anniversary and honored individuals for their contributions to gender equity in Hollywood. Eva Longoria and Linda Yvette Chavez were among the recipients of The Crystal Award for Advocacy, while America Ferrera received the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award. The gala supports WIF's educational and philanthropic programs and advocates for gender parity in the entertainment industry.
Anne Hathaway discusses the oppressive aging standards faced by women in Hollywood, recalling being warned that her career would decline after turning 35. She praises women who have defied these expectations and continued to have successful careers as they got older. Hathaway acknowledges that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done in addressing the issue. She also shares a disturbing comment made to her as a teenager, highlighting the challenges faced by women in the industry.
Actress Allison Williams opened up about her experience on the set of "Boardwalk Empire" during a panel discussion at the Nantucket Film Festival. She revealed that a crew member referred to her as "on-set eye candy," highlighting the prevalent sexism in Hollywood. Williams shared that such comments have been common throughout her career, emphasizing the need for change in the industry.