Thompson's victory, warts and all
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.Emma Thompson's extraordinary transformation into wart-ridden Nanny McPhee in her self-penned film adaptation of the Nurse Matilda books secured her the plaudits of her female peers yesterday.
The actress, who had previously adapted Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility for which she won an Oscar in 1996, took the script award at the 15th annual Women in Film and Television awards in London.
At a ceremony attended by 900 industry figures including the actresses Rachel Weisz and Kelly Macdonald and men including Stephen Fry and the producer Stephen Woolley, Ms Thompson paid tribute to the support she had received from fellow women.
But the warmth of female solidarity had been undermined before hand when former That's Life presenter Esther Rantzen, recipient of the lifetime achievement award, questioned whether female executives had improved the industry.
In an interview in Broadcast magazine, Ms Rantzen said: "Women don't necessarily make good bosses."
She perceived a tendency to reject feminine attributes in favour of unpleasant male traits such as aggression and autocracy - "a determination to prove you are as tough... as decisive... as good at bullying people as any of your bosses. Interestingly, I watched men become much less bullying, less autocratic, more collaborative, as bosses."
However, she considerably toned down her remarks for the ceremony and was seen deep in talks with Lorraine Heggessey, now chief executive of the production house talkbackThames.
Other awards went to women working behind as well as in front of the camera. Catherine Tate's recognition came in a special category for creative originality while Ms Heggessey's award was for excellence in television.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments