alike.com.ph—Actress Cate Blanchett gathered 82 of the film industry’s most prominent women to march against gender inequality at Cannes Film Festival 2018. Among the participants were directors Ava Duvernay, Patty Jenkins, and Agnès Varda, as well as actresses Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, and Salma Hayek. These women represented the 82 female-directed films that were recognized throughout the festival’s 71 years — compared to the other 1, 645 directed by men.
During the march, Blanchett stated, “Women are not a minority in the world, yet the current state of our industry says otherwise. As women, we all face our own unique challenges, but we stand together on these stairs today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress.” The Australian actress was this year’s jury president, which made her the 12th female head of the panel in the event’s 71-year history. The powerful march spoke volumes about how women still have to fight to gain equal recognition with the men in the industry.
Through the years, industry greats such as Blanchett, Meryl Streep, and Jessica Chastain have all emphasized that women are still under appreciated for their efforts behind the scenes. They are constantly told that their stories hold no value on-screen. Beyond Cannes, other institutions have also undervalued women, particularly the Academy Awards. To this day, Kathryn Bigelow remains the only woman who has won the Academy Award for Best Director for her work in “The Hurt Locker.” In the 2018 ceremony, Greta Gerwig’s nomination made headlines as she was only the fifth woman in the ceremony’s 90-year history to be nominated for Best Director.
Here in the Philippines, women have seen their fair share of success as film directors and producers. In fact, some of the biggest names in the industry are female directors. Joyce Bernal, Cathy Garcia-Molina, and Antoinette Jadaone have all created beloved cinematic works. But the country has fallen short in formally recognizing women for their achievements. In an interview with ALIKE, director Antoinette Jadaone intimated that there should be female National Artists for film that can equal those of director Ishmael Bernal and actor Fernando Poe, Jr.
Whether it’s in the Philippines or Hollywood, those 82 women at the Cannes Film Festival highlighted gender disparity when they personified the small amount of recognition they’ve received in the global entertainment industry. Hopefully, that small yet impactful women’s march will inspire women in the Philippines to stand up against the inequality they’re experiencing in our local industry. A powerful protest from our country’s most prominent female figures in entertainment will not only inspire change and improve recognition for women, but also encourage further female participation behind the scenes and within the powerful positions in the industry.
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