The actress and director Expresses Fury Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Female Professionals

Kristen Stewart has declared she is “furious” that progress for women in Hollywood have reversed after a brief period of improvement following the MeToo movement.

Stewart, who helmed the forthcoming film The Chronology of Water, delivered an impassioned address at a female-focused event in Los Angeles hosted by the Oscars organization.

“The regression from a brief moment of progress is alarming by the numbers,” she informed attendees. “Such a pitiful number of films from the previous year have been made by women.”

A yearly study that monitors the numbers of female filmmakers revealed that eleven of the highest-grossing films of last year were directed by women, down from sixteen in 2020.

‘Boys’ Club Business Model’

In her address, Stewart said: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that stories created by and for females were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to express ourselves and our shared experiences, all of our experiences without filter.

“However, I can confirm to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the content is too dark, too controversial, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about situations routinely experienced by women, often elicits disgust and rejection.”

She added: “We can talk about wage gaps and taxes on tampons and measure [inequality] in lots of quantifiable ways. 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.”

The guests hearing Stewart’s speech included several prominent actresses.

Stewart was met with multiple ovations over the course of her brief talk.

“I appreciate you,” she said. “I do not thank a boys’ club business model that claims to desire to associate with us while draining our assets and diminishing our genuine viewpoints. We must avoid being used as tokens. Let’s start printing our own currency.”

New films from several female directors are among those for the forthcoming Oscars race, but the best director category is once again expected to be dominated by men.