The Cannes Film Festival has come and gone, but opinions on the films have not. At a post-festival press conference, actress Jessica Chastain didn't stay silent about a “disturbing trend” she noticed while watching the movies.
Jessica made sure to let everyone know how she felt about the representation of women in the 20 films she'd watched as a Cannes Jury member. “This is the first time I’ve watched 20 films in 10 days, and I love movies and the one thing I really took away from this experience is how the world views women.”
Though she said there were a few exceptions to the trend, Chastain continued, “I do hope that when we include more female storytellers, we will have more of the women that I recognize in my day-to-day life. Ones that are proactive, that have their own agencies. They just don’t react to the men around them. They have their own point-of-view.”
Say that, @jes_chastain. pic.twitter.com/H7QHnEE5JA
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 29, 2017
Tell ‘em, girl. With Jessica's comments came an outpouring of support on social media from fellow actresses like America Ferrera and Debra Messing.
It takes courage to speak truth to power. Thank you @jes_chastain for speaking truth and representing the voices of millions! https://t.co/WOZUxHvhE1
— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) May 30, 2017
YES @jes_chastain YESSSSSS. Thank you for using you voice so powerfully and effectively. https://t.co/jqch5aS6gV
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) May 30, 2017
It’s nice to see Chastain using her voice to speak on behalf of not only women in film but all women.