How Salma Hayek Brilliantly Exposed Hollywood’s Sexism Problem
Salma Hayek‘s using her star power to spread an important message: Hollywood has a long way to go when it comes to treating women well. This past weekend, she dropped some serious knowledge at a Cannes Film Festival panel co-hosted by Variety and U.N. Women’s HeForShe campaign, the trailblazing gender equality initiative Emma Watson helped launch.
Hayek, who’s in the Cannes film Tale of Tales, wasn’t the only big name championing women’s right to equality in a workplace that just so happens to be the glitzy entertainment industry. Actresses Parker Posey and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opened up on the panel, further fleshing out the deeply-rooted issue of Hollywood sexism. Also speaking were Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen, who both worked on the film Carol, the lesbian love story starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara that’s getting a ton of Cannes buzz.
Hayek explained that a large part of the problem is that Hollywood heavy hitters have a history of misinterpreting what drives women to the theaters. “For a long time they thought the only thing we were interested in seeing were romantic comedies,” said Hayek. “They don’t see us as a powerful economic force, which is an incredible ignorance.” Given that women account for 50 percent of movie tickets sold, it’s about time Hollywood takes note of the fact that films showcasing complex, layered female characters are booming. Think of 2014′s Lucy, starring Scarlett Johansson, which raked in the cash. Even on a lighter note, 2013′s buddy cop movie The Heat, led by Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, was an undeniable smash hit.
In the face of mounting evidence that female-led movies can and do succeed, there are still obstacles for women both in front of and behind the camera. Hayek noted that sometimes leading actors can weigh in on her casting, which has led to her losing roles. It’s not the same the other way around, with the female stars’ opinions counting as much, she says.
As for female directors, things are pretty dire: they were in charge of only 17 of 2014′s 250 top-grossing movies, according to Variety. No matter how many awesome leading ladies there are, women need representation in all areas of Hollywood for things to be on an equal playing field. “[Studio executives] don’t know what we want to see,” Hayek said. “When women don’t direct and women don’t write and tell our own stories, we stopped going to the movies and started watching them on television.”
Then, of course, Hayek shone a spotlight on the Hollywood pay gap. “The only kind of movie where women make more than men is the porno industry,” said Hayek. “It’s simple ignorance.” For some proof of that point, you don’t need to look much further than the news that Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams made less for their roles in the Academy Award-nominated American Hustle than their male co-stars.
Hayek emphasized that even in the face of these challenges, women in and outside of Hollywood can help make a change. “Look, we cannot stand as victims and say they are not looking at us…What gives me hopes is that we are in a position of power,” she said. So, what can you do? The easiest solution is the kind of assignment that would have been a dream in high school: watch more awesome movies made by and starring women. Supporting women-driven films with your wallet is one easy (and, as a bonus, entertaining) way to show Hollywood what people really want to see.
Source: www.levo.com