As a devoted cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of cinema across decades, I am utterly captivated by Jane Campion‘s profound insights and resilient spirit. Her journey in the world of films is not merely a career but an odyssey that mirrors the very pulse of feminism in Hollywood.
At the upcoming 77th Locarno Film Festival on Friday night, Jane Campion will be honored with the Pardo d’Onore Manor Award for her lifetime achievements. Besides accepting this honor, she also sat down for interviews with the press, discussing various subjects such as Greta Gerwig’s recent success with “Barbie,” the longstanding history of male dominance in Hollywood, and her complex relationship with her own films that she described as “very troubled.”
The New Zealand filmmaker finds Gerwig’s approach to the “Barbie” tale exceptional. For a change, we have a movie that deviates from Marvel superhero characters, offering instead a humorous, inventive, and amusing perspective on the Barbie concept.
Speaking as an admirer, I’d say: “For the first time, a woman has truly turned history into gold, amassing billions. It’s simply extraordinary! This achievement signals that the financial world is finally ready to entrust women with wealth.”
When asked about why some of her movies like In the Cut, The Portrait of a Lady, and Holy Smoke didn’t receive as much acclaim when they were first released as they might today, Campion responded: “I can’t say for sure why exactly, but I can make an educated guess. At that time, the industry was heavily male-dominated, and it still is to some extent. However, I’m grateful that the barrier between genders in the industry has fallen – or at least, the Berlin Wall of gender dominance has come down – because I believe things have a much better opportunity to succeed now.”
She expressed: “A multitude of remarkable women have emerged victorious in recent times, with accolades such as those won by Chloe Zhao and Justine Triet. Many others are included in this list too. This fills me with optimism.”
Regarding the film “Portrait of a Lady“, Campion commented: “At that time, people didn’t fully appreciate Nicole Kidman as the actress she truly is, and we were aware of her talent from films like ‘Australia‘, but many still saw her primarily as Tom Cruise’s partner. Some felt it was a step back for her to play such a traditional heroine, especially an American one. However, in my opinion, Kidman delivered a remarkable performance.”
Campion candidly discussed her connection with her body of work, labeling it as “deeply challenging.” She emphasized that the phase of relentless effort to make them a reality was “extremely intense,” further explaining, “The stakes are high, and I scrutinize every detail… The thought of potentially overlooking something weighs heavily on me. It’s a burden I can’t always bear.”
The filmmaker admitted, “I can be quite hard on myself, resembling a protective parent figure. I find myself saying, ‘Go ahead and soar. Leave me now. Don’t come back.’ Yet, during the process of nurturing their growth into their best selves, it is filled with love and intensity. It’s as if I had an intense relationship with someone that ended, and I don’t feel the need to see them again.”
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2024-08-16 18:54