Cannes Has Trouble Fulfilling Its Promises to Women Directors
variety.comClaudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIt’s beyond distressing how women directors continue to get short shrift at Cannes.How could it be that this year only three movies helmed by females will be contenders in the main competition of the world’s most prestigious film festival?It’s horribly disappointing, but far from shocking, given that last year only four out of 21 competition titles were directed by females and considering Cannes’ poor track record when it comes to recognizing women filmmakers competing throughout its 75-year history.
After all, just two movies by women directors, Jane Campion’s “The Piano” and Julia Ducournau’s “Titane,” have ever won the coveted Palme d’Or.Of course, I’m thrilled for director Kelly Reichardt (“Showing Up”), Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (“Forever Young”) and Claire Denis (“Stars at Noon”), but nonetheless their movies represent a meager portion of the 18 titles in competition at Cannes.
That’s pathetic, especially considering that in 2018, Cannes became the first international film festival to sign a gender parity pledge two days after 82 women, including Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett and beloved French director Agnès Varda, staged a protest on the red-carpet steps of the Palais over the industry’s treatment of women.Just weeks ago, festival director Thierry Frémaux told our senior international correspondent Elsa Keslassy that he was aiming to “hopefully” have a “stronger presence of female directors” this year.
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