Helen Mirren takes a swipe at Sam Mendes and laments lack of female directors
The actress hit back when the director cited an all-male list of inspirations
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dame Helen Mirren drew on Sam Mendes’ acceptance speech at The Empire Film Awards to criticise the lack of women in prominent positions in the film industry.
In her speech accepting the “Legend Award”, Mirren hit out at the male dominated industry after Sam Mendes cited his all-male film inspirations when receiving a gong earlier in the evening.
“It was great to hear Sam’s list of moments that inspired him in the movies. I did however note that there was not a female name behind the camera," she said.
During a speech when Mendes accepted his Empire Inspiration Award for Skyfall, he credited an all-male list of directors who had created iconic movie moments that inspired him to become a filmmaker, including Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino and Francis Copopola.
Mirren, admitting she had been more of a "leg over than a legend", said: "Nothing against Sam, because they are great moments he chose…but I hope in five or ten years’ time when the next Sam makes his or her speech there will be some more women there,” she said.
"There are some really wonderful female directors coming up. Many of them are British and it's so exciting to see that. You go girls!”
The lack of female directors has been noted at other industry awards including the Oscars and Baftas. Kathryn Bigelow became the first female director to win an Academy Award for her film The Hurt Locker as late as 2010.
The Jameson Empire Awards 2013 Winners in full
Best Male Newcomer presented by Entertainment Tonight: Tom Holland for The Impossible
Best Female Newcomer: Samantha Barks for Les Miserables
Best Comedy presented by Magic 105.4: Ted
Best Science-Fiction/Fantasy: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Best Thriller presented by Vue Entertainment: Headhunters
Best Horror presented by Cafe de Paris: The Woman In Black
The Art Of 3D presented by RealD: Dredd 3D
Best British Film presented by Tresor Paris: Sightseers
Best Director presented by Monitor Audio: Sam Mendes for Skyfall
Jameson Best Actor: Martin Freeman for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Best Actress presented by Citroen: Jennifer Lawrence for The Hunger Games
Best Film presented by Sky Movies: Skyfall
Empire Inspiration Award presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey: Sam Mendes
Empire Legend: Helen Mirren
Empire Hero: Daniel Radcliffe
Empire Outstanding Contribution: Danny Boyle
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments