• Kristen Stewart speaks out
  • Her new film will be controversial
  • THIS is her take

In a no-holds-barred conversation with Porter magazine, Kristen Stewart critiques Hollywood's superficial nod to gender equality amidst the release of her latest project, 'Love Lies Bleeding'. Stewart's candid remarks highlight the industry's penchant for self-congratulation over minimal progress, underscoring a broader issue of performative feminism in the realm of cinema.

Hollywood's Hollow Cheers

This article delves into Stewart's perspective, backed by alarming statistics from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and her personal struggle to bring challenging female narratives to the screen.

Hollywood has long been under the microscope for its gender disparities, and Kristen Stewart is not here for the industry's self-applause on what she deems insufficient progress. Speaking candidly, Stewart exposes the veneer of Hollywood's gender equality efforts as nothing more than a facade.

"It feels phony," Stewart declares, addressing the industry's lukewarm attempts at embracing female filmmakers. Despite the spotlight on projects like Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'The Lost Daughter' and Margot Robbie's 'Barbie', Stewart argues that these few examples don't compensate for the broader issue. "You've chosen four," she remarks, pointing out the tokenistic nature of these efforts.

"I’m in awe of those women, I love those women [but] it feels phony. If we’re congratulating each other for broadening perspective, when we haven’t really done enough, then we stop broadening."

Founder Stacy L Smith said: "For the companies and industry members who want to believe that the director problem is fixed, it is nowhere near solved."

Backing Stewart's skepticism are stark figures from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. With women directors constituting a mere 12.1% of the industry in 2023, the call for gender equality in Hollywood seems to be more of a whisper. "It is nowhere near solved," states Stacy L Smith, founder of the initiative, highlighting the persistent gender gap in directorial roles.

Amidst her critique, Stewart shares her own uphill battle in financing 'The Chronology of Water', a film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir. Describing the project as a "f-ing thrill ride" that tackles themes of incest, menstruation, and bodily autonomy, Stewart's vision confronts the industry's conservative appetite head-on.

"I think people would want to see that," she muses, albeit with a hint of skepticism towards Hollywood's readiness for such raw narratives.

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Kristen Stewart's bold confrontation of Hollywood's gender equality charade serves as a wake-up call to an industry complacent in its performative activism. As Stewart continues to push boundaries, both on and off the screen, her voice amplifies the urgent need for genuine inclusivity and representation in cinema.