The Cannes Film Festival is seen, by many at least, as the standard-bearer for this sort of event. For decades, the pinnacle of film festival achievement was screening at the French festival. However, in recent years, Cannes has found itself falling behind other festivals in a number of areas, particularly in the realm of female representation. That’s why Cannes director Thierry Fremaux is happy to talk about the 2019 lineup and how the festival has selected a record number of female filmmakers (13, in fact) to screen projects.
Speaking to Variety, the topic of female representation was brought up, with Fremaux discussing the difficulty of achieving gender parity in the prestigious event.
“I believe that in previous years, that number [of female filmmakers] never exceeded 10,” Fremaux said. “But I continue to find it difficult to consider films based on gender. There are as many different kinds of films directed by women as by men. Justine Triet’s film, ‘Sybil,’ which tells the existential crisis of a woman, could have been made differently by a man, but I’m a supporter of having women filmmakers express a certain artistic, creative and feminine sensibility. Some things are purely feminine.”
When asked about the potential for gender parity in the future of the film festival, the Cannes boss is quick to say that change has to start way before a film reaches the event.
“It’s a question that has to be addressed to the rest of the industry,” he explained. “Cannes is only at the end of the cycle and reflects the fact that for a long time – and it is absurd – our society has been dominated by men.”
He added, “It’s also been the case in the world of painting. How many female painters within the Impressionist movement? Hardly any. How could Cannes be the miracle of a potential parity if the film world as a whole has yet to accomplish it?”
One area where gender parity was achieved at the film festival was in the selection committee. Fremaux is quick to explain that there was an issue with parity in years past, but this year it was addressed.
“I had already made sure in previous years to have a committee almost evenly spread between men and women, and this year we only needed one more woman to achieve gender parity, so we did it,” said the Cannes director.
It’s obvious that Cannes has joined many recent film festivals in including more female voices this year. And we can only hope that continues in the years to come. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival begins May 14.