🔗 Share this article The actress and director Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Women Stewart made these remarks during an event organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences The renowned actress and filmmaker has declared she is “so angry” that advancements for women in the film industry have reversed after a brief period of positive change post the #MeToo era. Stewart, who directed the forthcoming film The Chronology of Water, gave an impassioned speech at a female-focused event in LA hosted by the Oscars organization. “The backsliding from a short period of advancement is alarming by the numbers,” she told the audience. “Such a pitiful number of films from the past year have been directed by female filmmakers.” A yearly study that monitors the numbers of female filmmakers stated that eleven of the highest-grossing films of 2024 were helmed by female directors, down from sixteen in 2020. ‘Boys’ Club Business Model’ In her address, Stewart remarked: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that narratives made by and for women were finally getting their due. That we might be allowed or even supported to share our views and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered. “However, I can confirm to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step when the material is too dark, too taboo, when the honesty with which it presents insights about situations routinely experienced by women, often elicits aversion and dismissal.” She continued: “We can discuss wage gaps and taxes on tampons and quantify the imbalance in many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, 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 furious.” The guests hearing Stewart’s address included a number of well-known female stars. Stewart was met with several rounds of applause over the course of her brief talk. “I appreciate you,” she said. “I am not grateful a boys’ club business model that pretends to want to hang out 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.” New films from several female directors are among those for the forthcoming Oscars race, but the best director category is anticipated again to be male in majority.