Weisz’s bold message at Gotham Awards: 'Stop asking women that question'
At the 2018 Gotham Awards, Rachel Weisz used her acceptance speech to challenge media double standards surrounding questions posed to female actors. Timeless wisdom, indeed!
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:27 PM ISTAt the 2018 Gotham Awards, Rachel Weisz used her acceptance speech to challenge media double standards surrounding questions posed to female actors. Timeless wisdom, indeed!
Rachel Weisz's Stirring Gotham Speech Still Resonates Today
In a moment that's still spoken about today, Rachel Weisz, at the 2018 Gotham Awards, didn't just take home the Special Jury Award For Ensemble Performance, she also drove home a thought-provoking point. Dripping in Hollywood glamour yet brimming with an insightful message, she addressed the persistent issue of gender double standards in the media.
Setting the Stage: The "Favourite" Conundrum
Back when Weisz starred in "The Favourite" alongside the celebrated Emma Stone and Olivia Colman, she could never have imagined the relentless, somewhat absurd questioning the trio would face. Journalists seemed baffled by the very idea of three women co-leading a film, prompting a barrage of repetitious questions.
The irony wasn't lost on Rachel. She highlighted that while the film was making waves, the press's fixation was rather misplaced. "I hope one day in the not-so-distant future we don’t get asked what it was like to share the screen with other women," she remarked wittily. "Because I don’t think you ever ask men that. But I could be wrong."
Making the Point (With a Touch of Humor)
To add some delightful humor to her message, Weisz cheekily presented cardboard cutouts of Stone and Colman’s faces, poking fun at their absence. This humorous gesture, combined with her profound message, showcased Weisz's brilliance in handling the situation with grace and wit.
Indeed, "The Favourite" was a success story in its own right. Depicting Weisz as Sarah Churchill, alongside the talented Colman and Stone, the movie captivated audiences, even making history as 2018's highest-grossing indie debut. Both Stone and Weisz were in the running for the coveted Best Supporting Actress title, with Colman eyeing the Best Actress Oscar.
But beyond the accolades, what remains imprinted in memory is Rachel's stirring message about treating female actors with the same respect and standard as their male counterparts.
As reported by Salon.com in 2018.
Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.