Geena Davis was one of several speakers at a Toronto rally amid the Toronto International Film Festival to discuss an important topic: gender inequality in the film and television industry.
In addition to Davis, actresses Mia Kirshner and Amanda Brugel, director Amma Asante and other notable women spoke about this issue at Saturday’s “Share Her Journey” rally.
In addition to her acting work, the “Accidental Tourist” Oscar winner is also the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which has spent the past 12 years going over data relating to female characters in movies and shows.
“If you’re involved in any way in any production of a movie or a TV show, you have a chance to change it and make it gender balanced,” Davis told the crowd, estimated at about 200, reports CBC News. “Do a gender pass. Don’t let it get cast or shot until somebody looks at it and you go through it and you say: ‘Who here can become female?'”
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According to Davis, filmmakers can take some easy steps to make their projects more gender balanced. “Change a bunch of first names. If it says a crowd gathers, write in the script, comma, ‘which is half female.’ This is easy, it’s fun, it’s inspiring and creative to do.”
Toronto-born Kirshner (recently seen in Netflix’s “Bloodline”), pointed out that industry leaders pledging their support means nothing unless concrete action is taken.
“My question is, when you stand by me, does that mean you’re going to pay my legal fees because I can’t afford them? When you say you stand by me, does that mean you are going to offer trauma supports, mental health supports, because it’s not available and not affordable?” she asked.
“When you stand by me, when you say you have zero tolerance, does this mean you’re going to guarantee third-party, independent, arms-length investigations for each case?” Kirshner continued.
While Kirshner said that change is coming, it’s not coming fast enough. “There are good people in this industry who are trying,” she said. “There are three working groups that have formed. Some people are trying very hard. Unfortunately, this is not the only file they’re dealing with.”
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