Campion said it was “stunning” to be in the room with so many “incredible women” during her acceptance speech for Best Director, while holding the first of four awards for Netflix’s The Power of the Dog.
She emphasized that she was the only woman nominated in her category, which also included Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Guillermo del Toro (Nightmare Alley), Steven Spielberg (West Side Story), and Denis Villeneuve (Dune).
“Give my love to my fellow, fellow… the guys… the nominees,” Campion said, prior to actually turning her attention to the Williams sisters, who were also present. “What an honor to be in the room with you,” she said of the King Richard film subjects.
“And Serena and Venus you are such marvels, however, you do not play against the guys… like I have to,” said Campion.
Here's the clip of Jane Campion's speech#CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/pucAsmE2JF
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 14, 2022
The filmmaker has since apologized in a statement, writing:
“I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved. I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world-class athletes.”
The statement continued:
“The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world. The last thing I would ever want to do is minimize remarkable women. I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you.”
Source: Global News
