Julianne Moore gracefully reminisced about the remarkable transformation the film industry has undergone in terms of female representation since her early beginnings in the 1990s. Speaking as a part of Kering's Women in Motion program at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, the Oscar-winning actress highlighted one of the most profound differences: the extended career lifespan of actresses.
"Meryl [Streep] echoed this sentiment during the festival's opening ceremony," Moore shared. "She mentioned that when she reached her 40s, she feared her career might be waning. However, nowadays, we're witnessing women being represented across all stages of their lives, which is indeed thrilling."
During the engaging conversation moderated by Angelique Jackson, a senior entertainment writer for Variety, Moore observed a noticeable shift not only in the number of female directors but also in the diversity of women occupying crucial roles behind the camera, such as camera operators, grips, and electricians. "Previously, there were none," she emphasized. "But while we've made strides, we're still far from achieving gender parity."
Moore expressed her jubilation over the emergence of young, highly prominent female actors who are now producing their own projects. She cited examples like Sydney Sweeney, who stars alongside her in the upcoming thriller "Echo Valley," and Zendaya. "It's marvelous," she enthused. "Expectations about what women can accomplish have shifted significantly. Certainly, when I was Sydney's age, such opportunities were scarcely imaginable."
Moore's presence in Cannes held special significance as it marked a decade since she triumphantly won the Best Actress Palme d'Or for David Cronenberg's "Maps to the Stars" in 2014. That fateful visit to the French Riviera spanned eight memorable days, coinciding with the premiere of "The Hunger Games." Ironically, by the time the awards ceremony rolled around, she had already returned to the comforts of her home in Long Island.
"Winning the Palme d'Or was the farthest thing from my mind," she revealed. "Honestly, it was something I never dreamed would happen. Then, I received a phone call instructing me to return, and I thought, 'I'm not going to be able to do that! You have no idea how far away I am!'"
Amusingly, Moore recalled a similar experience when she learned of her Daytime Emmy win for "As the World Turns" in 1988. She was performing in a play in Minneapolis at that time and received the good news over the phone. "So, I guess the phone is my lucky charm!" she joked.
