🔗 Share this article The actress and director Voices Anger Over Hollywood's Backsliding for Female Professionals The Twilight star made these remarks during an event organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Kristen Stewart has stated she is “so angry” that progress for women in Hollywood have gone backwards after a brief period of positive change post the MeToo movement. The Twilight star, who directed the upcoming film The Chronology of Water, delivered an emotional speech at a women’s luncheon in LA hosted by the Oscars organization. “The regression 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 made by women.” An annual report that monitors the numbers of female filmmakers revealed that eleven of the top 100 films of last year were directed by women, down from sixteen in 2020. ‘Boys’ Club Business Model’ In her address, Stewart remarked: “In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that stories made by and for women were finally getting their due. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to share our views and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered. “But I can now attest to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the material is too grim, too controversial, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about experiences commonly faced by females, often elicits aversion and dismissal.” She added: “We can talk about pay disparities and menstrual product taxes 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 could devour this stand with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.” Attendees listening to Stewart’s speech featured several prominent actresses. Stewart received multiple ovations over the course of her seven-minute speech. “I appreciate you,” she said. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework 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 next Academy Awards, but the top directing award is anticipated again to be dominated by men.