In a recent interview with Porter magazine, actor-turned-filmmaker Kristen Stewart didn't hold back on her thoughts about Hollywood's treatment of women in the industry.
She criticised what she sees as the industry's tendency to tokenise a select few women while failing to address broader issues of gender inequality.
Stewart remarked, "There’s a thinking that we can check these little boxes, and then do away with the patriarchy, and how we’re all made of it. It’s easy for them to be like, ‘Look what we’re doing. We’re making Maggie Gyllenhaal’s movie! We’re making Margot Robbie’s movie!’ And you’re like, OK, cool. You’ve chosen four."
Despite her critique, Stewart expressed admiration for her peers, stating, "And I’m in awe of those women, I love those women [but] it feels phoney. If we’re congratulating each other for broadening perspective, when we haven’t done enough, then we stop broadening."
The actor-director, who is set to release her directorial debut, "The Chronology of Water," also discussed her aversion to mainstream superhero movies. She described the prospect of starring in one as a "nightmare" and emphasised her reluctance unless specifically approached by someone she trusts implicitly, according to Variety.
Stewart elaborated, "The system would have to change. You would have to put so much money and so much trust into one person ... and it doesn't happen. And so therefore what ends up happening is this algorithmic, weird experience where you can't feel personal at all about it." However, she noted that she would consider a Marvel role if requested by "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig.
“I am very, very happy to be my exact age,” she states, contemplating the ways her creative priorities have shifted over time.
“As an actor, I’m called upon to serve other people’s visions. You get greedy; it feels good to be called upon… even if you don’t love the thing. I think it’s nice that, as I’ve gotten older, I would much prefer to tailor my experiences to result-oriented goals, versus, just, This is going to feel good for me right now.”
Stewart will be next seen in "Sacramento" and the vampire film "Flesh of the Gods."
