Blitz director Steve McQueen has withdrawn from Poland's prestigious Camerimage Film Festival, citing a controversial article penned by the festival's founder and CEO, Marek Żydowicz, just days before the opening of the 32nd edition, which is dedicated to the art of cinematography. The article, which focused on female cinematographers, sparked outrage.
In an exclusive statement to The Hollywood Reporter, McQueen expressed his decision, stating, "After reading Marek Żydowicz's opinion piece regarding female cinematographers, I have made the difficult choice to forego attending the opening night premiere of my film Blitz this weekend. Despite his subsequent apology, I cannot overlook words that I find deeply offensive. I hold immense respect for cinematographers of all genders, including women, and firmly believe we must strive for and demand a more inclusive environment where everyone has a seat at the table."
The festival was poised to commence on Saturday with a screening of McQueen's latest masterpiece, with the Oscar-winning director in attendance. While the film will still serve as the opening night selection, McQueen will notably absent. Additionally, he was scheduled to receive the outstanding director award during the opening ceremony.
When contacted for comment, Żydowicz conveyed his disappointment, saying, "It is with profound sadness that I accept Steve McQueen's decision to withdraw from the festival. I offer my apologies once again and welcome the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue to discuss how we can collectively move forward in a more open and inclusive manner. The festival stands as a community, embracing and cherishing the images we hold dear. Let us embark on a meaningful conversation, identifying steps to rebuild the festival and our industry in a more equitable way, ensuring it is open, unified, and representative of all voices."
Blitz follows the journey of nine-year-old George (Elliott Heffernan) in wartime London, as he is sent by his mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) to safety in the Eng
“The film industry is undergoing rapid changes, affecting the cinematic image, its content, and aesthetics,” Żydowicz wrote. “One of the most significant changes is the growing recognition of female cinematographers and directors. This evolution is crucial as it rectifies the obvious injustice present in societal development. However, it also raises a question: Can the pursuit of change exclude what is good? Can we sacrifice works and artists with outstanding artistic achievements solely to make room for mediocre film production?”
The reaction to Żydowicz’s piece was almost immediate as word of his stance spread among the global cinematographer community.
The British Society of Cinematographers, the craft organization established in 1949, published a letter on its website that was blunt in its condemnation.
“The BSC wishes to express its disapproval of your recent article in Cinematography World,” the association’s “Open Letter to Żydowicz” read. “We are disheartened and angered by your profoundly misogynistic comments and aggressive tone, which we view as symptomatic of a deep-rooted prejudice.”
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) soon threw its support behind the BSC’s letter, with additional criticisms coming from the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC), Association of Brazilian Cinematographers (ABC), Society of Camera Operators and Women Cinematographers Network (covering Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
Various other industry luminaries are expected at the event, including Cate Blanchett, who is serving as the president of the 2024 competition jury, Shogun star Hiroyuki Sanada, as well as several Oscar-frontrunner DPs, including Greig Fraser (Dune 2), Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu), and Alice Brooks (Wicked), Lol Crawley (The Brutalist), Stéphane Fontaine (Conclave), Ed Lachman (Maria), Paul Guillaume (Emilia Perez), and many other leaders in the field.
