Kristen Stewart Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Regression for Female Professionals
Kristen Stewart has declared she is “so angry” that advancements for women in the film industry have reversed after a short-lived surge of improvement following the #MeToo era.
The Twilight star, who helmed the forthcoming film The Chronology of Water, delivered an impassioned address at a women’s luncheon in Los Angeles hosted by the Academy behind the awards.
“The regression from a brief moment of progress is alarming by the numbers,” she informed attendees. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been made by women.”
An annual report that tracks 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.
‘Boys’ Club Business Model’
During her speech, Stewart said: “After the MeToo movement, it seemed possible that narratives made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we might be allowed or even encouraged to express ourselves and our common stories, all of our experiences without filter.
“However, I can confirm to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step when the content is too dark, too controversial, when the honesty with which it presents insights about situations commonly faced by females, frequently provokes aversion and dismissal.”
She continued: “We can talk about pay disparities and taxes on tampons and measure [inequality] in many measurable forms. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not even supposed to be angry. But I can eat this podium with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.”
Attendees hearing Stewart’s address included a number of well-known female stars.
Stewart received multiple ovations during the duration of her brief talk.
“I am thankful to 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.”
New films from several female directors are in the running for the forthcoming Oscars race, but the best director category is once again expected to be dominated by men.
