Jessica Chastain Calls Cannes Films' Lack of Female Representation "Disturbing"

"I do hope that when we include more female storytellers, we will have more of the women that I recognize in my day-to-day life. Ones that are proactive, have their own agencies, don’t just react to the men around them."

Jessica Chastain said she found the onscreen representation of women in this year’s Cannes Film Festival lineup "quite disturbing."

"I do believe that if you have female storytelling you also have more authentic female characters,” Chastain, who served on the jury, said during a press conference Sunday. “This is the first time I’ve watched 20 films in 10 days, and I love movies. And the one thing I really took away from this experience is how the world views women from the female characters that I saw represented. It was quite disturbing to me, to be honest.”

Chastain made the comments just after her jury awarded Sofia Coppola with the fest's best director award. The Beguiled helmer is only the second woman awarded with the honor, and the first since 1961.

“There are some exceptions, I will say, but for the most part, I was surprised with the representation of female characters onscreen," she continued. "I do hope that when we include more female storytellers, we will have more of the women that I recognize in my day-to-day life. Ones that are proactive, have their own agencies, don’t just react to the men around them. They have their own point of view.”

Ava DuVernay, America Ferrera and Debra Messing were among those who praised Chastain's remarks on social media.

It takes courage to speak truth to power. Thank you @jes_chastain for speaking truth and representing the voices of millions! https://t.co/WOZUxHvhE1 — America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) May 30, 2017