Clive Owen: There are nowhere near enough female directors in film

The actor said Time's Up and #MeToo are helping to bring about change in other industries too 
Emma Powell17 May 2018
The Weekender

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Clive Owen has said there are “nowhere near enough” female film directors.

The actor, 53, praised the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements for bringing “long overdue” change to his industry. But he said more needed to be done in the push for gender equality behind the camera as well as in front.

“In terms of opportunities for women in this business there aren’t enough directors, there aren’t enough crew but with this huge movement and huge sway hopefully that balance will be corrected,” he said.

“People are aware and people are creating opportunities. Especially in movies there should be more female directors. I’ve been lucky to work with a couple but there are nowhere near enough female directors in film.”

Owen’s comments came as Cate Blanchett staged a protest at the Cannes Film Festival over the lack of female filmmakers featured.

Ava DuVernay, Kristen Stewart and Marion Cotillard were among 82 women who took part. They represented the number of female directors whose films have been selected for the festival’s competition line-up in its 71-year history — compared with 1,688 male directors. On Monday Cannes organisers signed a pledge committing to policies promoting gender parity.

Owen said he also thought #MeToo was encouraging change across other industries and in society. “I’ve noticed [change] in all aspects, even on a very basic level,” he said. “I watch a lot of sport and there are a lot more female presenters just in the last year.”

Praise for #MeToo: Clive Owen stars with Amanda Seyfried in new film Anon

The King Arthur actor was talking ahead of his new film ANON. He plays troubled detective Sal Frieland who tries to uncover the identity of a young woman (Amanda Seyfried) to solve a string of murders. The film, directed by Andrew Niccol, is set in a dystopian future where memories can be recorded and hacked.

Talking about technology, Owen — who has two children with his wife Sarah-Jane Fenton — said he avoids social media and tries to “keep out of the way when I’m not working” to maintain a private life.

He said: “I’m in a public game but I’ve always tried to keep a low profile outside of that, especially with social media, I don’t do any of that. But everything changed for people in the public eye when cameras were put into phones. When I was young you used to ask for an autograph, then suddenly there was a big transition — cameras were in phones and everything changed.”

Cate Blanchett stuns in 'optical illusion' gown - Cannes premiere

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ANON is in UK cinemas and on Sky Cinema now

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