Sundance 2016: “Nothing worse than being a woman in this business,” actress says at TheWrap’s interview studio
Frustration over Hollywood’s diversity debate bubbled over at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, as actress and writer Julie Delpy said she felt muzzled by the industry and added that there’s “nothing worse than being a woman in this business.”
Delpy, who was Oscar-nominated as a writer both for “Before Midnight” and “Before Sunset,” said that she said she has raised the issue of how few women were members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was shut down.
“Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media,” she told TheWrap’s Jeff Sneider. “It’s funny — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward.”
Also Read: Academy Changes Rules to Promote Oscar Diversity
She went on: “It’s the hardest to be a woman. Feminists is something people hate above all. Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that.”
Delpy appeared at TheWrap’s interview studio at Sundance on Friday to promote a new Todd Solondoz film “Weiner Dog” along with co-stars Danny DeVito and Kieran Culkin.
DeVito was similarly harsh in his assessment of Hollywood — and the rest of the United States. “It’s unfortunate that we’re xenophobic, it’s unfortunate that women make 30 percent less than men in various times,” he said. “I just found out happens in the film business. women are hired for less money than men.”
Behind the scenes, Delpy said she was frustrated at having trouble getting her movies made.
Who's Boycotting Oscars So Far - And Who's Just Mad (Photos)
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Spike Lee
The director has refused to attend this year's Academy Awards because no people of color were nominated. "How is it possible for the 2nd consecutive year all 20 contenders under the actor category are white? And let’s not even get into the other branches. 40 white actors in 2 years and no flava at all. We can’t act?! WTF!!” he tweeted.
Getty ImagesJada Pinkett Smith
The actress -- whose husband, Will Smith, was snubbed for Best Actor for "Concussion" -- pondered on social media whether people of color should participate in the Oscars at all. “At the Oscars, people of color are always welcomed to give out awards, even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments.
Will Smith
The actor announced that he will not be attending this year’s Oscars ceremony in support of the boycott proposed by wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
"At this current time, we’re uncomfortable to stand there and say, ‘This is OK,'" he said.
David Oyelowo
The actor, while presenting a King Legacy Award to Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, pointed out that this is the second year in a row the Academy has failed to nominate a single non-white actor. "For 20 opportunities to celebrate actors of color, actresses of color, to be missed last year is one thing; for that to happen again this year is unforgivable.”
Michael Moore
The filmmaker told TheWrap that he plans to join the boycott, and said "I thought about this all day, and I don’t plan to go to the show, I don’t plan to watch it and I don’t plan to go to an Oscar party."
Will Packer
The "Straight Outta Compton" producer called the situation "embarrassing" in a lengthy social media post. “To my Academy colleagues, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER. Period."
Chris Rock
The actor-director, who will host the Academy Awards on February 28, made light of the controversy. He tweeted a new Oscars promo along with the caption “The #Oscars. The White BET Awards.”
Tyrese Gibson
The “Furious 7” star called on Academy Awards host Chris Rock to pull out of the ceremony after no people of color were nominated in its 20 acting categories. He also went into more detail on social media, saying if the situation involved the under-representation of LGBT nominees, there is no question things would be different.
Don Cheadle
The actor joined the discussion Sunday by tweeting at Chris Rock, saying he’ll be “parking cars” at the Hollywood & Highland complex the night of the ceremony.
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BET Founder Bob Johnson
Johnson didn't just blame Oscar voters for the lack of diversity among this year's nominees, he told TheWrap studios must greenlight more diverse projects. He also implored African Americans to tell their own stories rather than depend on the Hollywood establishment.
"If you’re the African-American society and you wait for white America to say ‘I’m gonna tell your stories,’ first of all, they don’t know them or appreciate them, and second of all, that is not in their DNA,” he said.
Mark Ruffalo
The "Hulk" actor told BBC Breakfast that he is "weighing" taking part in the Oscar boycott, stating that "the entire American system is rife with white privilege racism. It goes into our justice system.” He later took to Twitter to clarify his statements, in which he said that he will be attending the awards "in support of the victims of clergy Sexual Abuse and good journalism."
Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson said his organization will "launch a nationwide 'TV Tune Out' of the Oscars ceremony, February 28. This will send the message that diversity in the film industry must be more than a hollow promise."
Al Sharpton’s National Action Network
Al Sharpton’s civil rights organization is calling for a boycott of this year’s Oscars. “The lack of African Americans and women excluded from the major categories of Oscar nominees is appalling,” the chapter’s political director, Najee Ali said in a statement. “Cheryl Boone Issacs, the African-American president of the academy, is nothing but a pawn, and the black face of Hollywood’s system and culture that is racist, sexist and lacks true diversity.”
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Academy members Michael Moore and Spike Lee vow they will not attend the event over lack of diversity among nominees
