The Venice Film Festival has been criticized for the overwhelming male dominance of this year's entry field. At the opening press conference, the president of the awards jury, Maggie Gyllenhaal, was directly asked about the fact that only two of the films in this year's competition section are directed by women.
In July, six Italian film organizations published an open letter in the newspaper La Repubblica criticizing the festival's management. After giving a joking response, Maggie Gyllenhaal offered a serious analysis:
There is a structural problem and I think it is much more difficult for women to get their films financed, she said, adding:
It may also be that women have had different life experiences and what they want to make a film about is not always considered high culture.
Sitting on the podium at the press conference next to festival director Alberto Barbera, who is responsible for the selection, she then said:
But it's certainly a legitimate question to ask.
The Venice Film Festival is held between September 2 and 12.
