One of the world’s most respected female directors has spoken out against the lack of recognition given to women in the film industry.
Upon receiving a lifetime-achievement honor from the European Film Awards, experimental documentarian Agnes Varda expressed gratitude for the distinction but also disappointment that so few other women received commendations at the ceremony.
“What I have noticed is that it is very sweet to receive this award but when I see the nominees here, I feel there are not enough women,” she said. “I think more women should be included. I know a lot of very good female directors and women editors, and I would like them be more represented and helped by the European film academy.”
The Polish film Ida took home the EFA’s top prize. Its producer, Ewa Puszczynska, echoed Varda’s criticisms.
“There are a lot of women directors not recognized yet who I believe are very talented. The same with cinematographers,” she noted. “There are various reasons why there are less women. We have families, we give birth to children, and that’s usually what keeps us back from being in the mainstream of our professions. In this industry it is still very difficult to leave to have a family and then come back. So very often it is a matter of sacrificing something, and that has led to there being less women in the film industry than there should be.”
[via The Guardian]
