Actress Annette Bening, the jury president of the festival, has responded to the criticism about the lack of female directors in this year’s lineup, and she’s not perturbed.
“I was thrilled to be asked to be here, so I didn’t count the number of films that were accepted that were directed by women,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “I know that most people that I know, whether they’re veterans or newcomers, or they’re men or women, most people struggle to get their movies made. And there is a lot of sexism, of course that exists. There’s no question. But I think things are changing. The more that we, as women, can make films that speak to everyone, we can be regarded as filmmakers.”
Actress Annette Bening, the jury president of the festival, has responded to the criticism about the lack of female directors in this year’s lineup, and she’s not perturbed.
“I was thrilled to be asked to be here, so I didn’t count the number of films that were accepted that were directed by women,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “I know that most people that I know, whether they’re veterans or newcomers, or they’re men or women, most people struggle to get their movies made. And there is a lot of sexism, of course that exists. There’s no question. But I think things are changing. The more that we, as women, can make films that speak to everyone, we can be regarded as filmmakers.”
International film festivals boast lineups that include projects imagined by quirky industry newcomers as well as seasoned creators — but not, apparently, if they’re directed by women. At least, that seems to be the case with the Venice Film Festival, which has just one female-directed project in its roster of 21 movies. It’s called Angels Wear White, directed by Vivian Qu.
“I don’t think it’s our fault,” Alberto Barbera, director of the festival, told The Hollywood Reporter about the gender gap. “I don’t like to think in terms of a quota when you make a selection process. I’m sorry that there are very few films from women this year, but we are not producing films.”
Qu, the sole female director, also doesn’t blame the festival.
“Of course I wish there were more female filmmakers presented in the festival (or in any festival),” she told the outlet. “[But] to go to the root of the problem, if more women were encouraged to work in film and had the opportunity to take on major creative roles, I’m sure we will see more and more films by women.”
Source: Written by KATHRYN LINDSAY for Refinery29
