Kristen Stewart is openly addressing the discrimination actresses face while promoting her new psychological thriller, The Chronology of Water, which stars Imogen Poots. Speaking about her journey, Stewart emphasized how she wasn’t taken seriously for her intelligence until she ventured into directing, shedding light on the biases within the film industry. Her remarks come during interviews ahead of the film’s early February release in the United Kingdom.
Actresses Often Undervalued Compared to Directors, Stewart Observes
In a candid conversation with The Times of London, Stewart criticized the widespread mistreatment of actresses. She said,
“Actresses get treated like s***, I’ve got to tell you. People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, wow, this is a different experience. They are talking to me like I’m somebody with a brain.”
Kristen Stewart, Actress and Director
This statement points to her experience of how shifting roles in the industry—from actress to director—changed the level of respect she encountered.
Gender Bias in Filmmaking Still Prevails, Stewart Explains
Stewart further reflected on the myth that directors possess extraordinary creative powers, a perception perpetuated primarily by male colleagues. She highlighted that the treatment female actors receive is often more demeaning than that of male actors, likening actresses to puppets despite their deep investment in their craft. She noted,
“There’s this idea that directors have otherworldly abilities, which is not true. It’s an idea perpetuated by men. Not to sound like I’m complaining all the time, but it’s worse for female actors than male ones; they get treated like puppets, but they are not. Imogen [Poots] put her whole body and soul into this movie.”
Kristen Stewart, Actress and Director
This comment draws attention to the imbalance in respect and acknowledgment within the film industry based on gender.
Stewart’s Extensive Career and Impact on Industry Perspectives
Kristen Stewart’s acting career began in the late 1990s, with a notable early role alongside Jodie Foster in the 2002 thriller Panic Room directed by David Fincher. She later gained widespread notice through the Twilight series, which, despite commercial success, became the subject of critical and public scrutiny. Her filmography also includes significant titles like Underwater, Seberg, Spencer, Crimes of The Future, Still Alice, The Runaways, and Love Lies Bleeding. Throughout her decades of work, Stewart has witnessed and endured many industry challenges that inform her current perspectives on discrimination.
What Stewart’s Voice Means for the Future of Film
As Stewart transitions further into directing, her outspoken stance on actress discrimination highlights systemic issues in Hollywood, particularly concerning the respect and opportunities female talent receive. The Chronology of Water marks her directorial debut, garnering attention following its initial launch last month and slated for a continued rollout in the UK. Audiences and critics alike are eager to see how her filmmaking voice will evolve, as well as how it might influence perceptions of women’s roles behind the camera.
