100 Hollywood stars & producers speak out about sexism

In a ground-breaking essay published in the New York Times (NYT), columnist Maureen Dowd spoke to 100 female actors and directors about the issue of sexism in Hollywood.

In the piece, the women discuss gender disparity and biased pay gaps, whilst also analysing deeper stereotypes attached to successful women. Dowd writes: “Male directors who act out are seen as moody, eccentric geniuses. Women are dragons.”

Dowd goes on to explain that in 2013 and 2014 only 1.9% of the directors of the 100 top-grossing films were women, surmising that females are treated like second-class citizens in the film industry.

One entertainment executive, who wished to remain anonymous, explained the depth of the situation to Dowd, saying: “Not that many women have succeeded in the movie business.