Nicole Kidman Slams Ageism and Demands Hollywood Finally Invest in Women’s Voices at Cannes Gala

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Despite her extensive list of accolades, which includes an Academy Award, five Golden Globes, a BAFTA, two Emmys, the Cannes Film Festival’s 70th anniversary prize, and the Venice Film Festival’s best actress award, Nicole Kidman was deeply touched by being selected as the Kering Women in Motion honoree at their 10th annual gala during the recent Cannes Film Festival. The esteemed actor found the recognition particularly meaningful.

Nicole Kidman expressed her joy about being present to amplify women’s voices in cinema. She made this statement while gracefully descending the red carpet at the elegant dinner held at Place de la Castre, which boasted a stunning view of the Croisette. As an advocate, she declared her intention to keep pushing forward with her commitment, emphasizing that the fight is far from over.

After a compilation of her most remarkable roles, such as “Moulin Rouge,” “Far and Away” (her premiere at Cannes), and “The Hours,” Kidman graced the stage, receiving a standing ovation from an elite audience that included Isabelle Huppert, Julianne Moore, Sean Penn, Charli XCX, Dakota Johnson, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Juliette Binoche, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Guillermo del Toro.

In a montage showcasing her top performances, including “Moulin Rouge,” “Far and Away” (her Cannes debut), and “The Hours,” Kidman made an appearance, being greeted by a standing ovation from the high-profile gathering that encompassed Isabelle Huppert, Julianne Moore, Sean Penn, Charli XCX, Dakota Johnson, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Juliette Binoche, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Guillermo del Toro.

Thierry Frémaux, a veteran Cannes Festival attendee, bestowed the title of “Cannes legend” on Nicole Kidman during an award ceremony, where he was joined by festival president Iris Knobloch and Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault. This isn’t just a title; each time Kidman attends the festival, she strengthens this status. For instance, in 2017, Kidman chose the Cannes stage to announce a significant commitment: she intended to collaborate with a female director every 18 months.

Kidman stated that she was engaged in a discussion with Meryl Streep regarding the necessity of action rather than just words or support. This involves participating in films directed by women since mere talks or declarations aren’t enough; one truly needs to act on such commitments.

Over the past eight years, Kidman has collaborated with 27 women in director roles across both films and TV productions. As she stated, “There’s an abundance of exceptionally talented women out there, and once you start seeking them out, they are more than ready to shine.” Moving forward, this commitment is not limited to female directors. It encompasses female screenwriters, cinematographers, and crew members as well.

Actress Naomi Watts, currently starring as well as executive producing Hulu’s series “Nine Perfect Strangers” and recently featured in Halina Reijn’s film “Babygirl,” additionally emphasized the importance of increased diversity and representation on screen.

It’s crucial that women are offered more significant opportunities, especially as they mature. We have demonstrated our ability to generate revenue, as evident in the success of ‘Babygirl’ which grossed $64.5 million worldwide. Invest in us and trust in our abilities. Our perspectives hold immense value and can contribute to shaping the world. At the same time, we will share with you glimpses of our emotions, our femininity, and what it truly means to be a woman. All we ask is for an opportunity, and we assure you that we are more than ready.

Nicole Kidman’s recognition stands as a significant achievement for Kering’s Women in Motion initiative, an endeavor launched by the luxury fashion company in 2015 to celebrate the artistic accomplishments and influence of women across various cultural fields. By accepting this honor, Kidman becomes part of an illustrious group of past recipients, which includes Donna Langley from NBCUniversal, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, Patty Jenkins, Gong Li, Salma Hayek Pinault, Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh, Jane Fonda, and Isabelle Huppert.

Uma Thurman was thrilled to include Nicole Kidman in this exclusive group. “Her talent, resilience, and cinematic fame have shifted the landscape for women; before, it was primarily men who achieved such high levels of film stardom, so she has paved the way for many others,” Uma said to EbMaster. “She’s always been deeply committed to women’s issues – not just recently – and her commitment to collaborating with and supporting female directors aligns perfectly with our values.

Director Coralie Fargeat added her thoughts on Kidman’s influence: “Kidman possesses a distinct quality in Hollywood. She takes on daring ventures, avoids repetition, and delves into unexplored territories while advocating for women. Such actions truly make a difference because real, lasting change comes from action, and Kidman embodies this. For these reasons, I hold her in high esteem.

Similarly to Tessa Thompson, Nicole Kidman has served as an inspiration. As Thompson put it, “She truly embodies the essence of walking the walk and talking the talk when it comes to supporting women in the industry, understanding that the key to empowering more women is to collaborate with them early on in their careers.” This sentiment was echoed by Thompson, looking back at her long-standing collaboration with director Nia DaCosta, starting with the latter’s debut film, “Little Woods” in 2018. She expressed that giving opportunities to new talents is essential, as breaking into the industry can be challenging without someone to open the door. Thompson admires Kidman greatly for her ongoing commitment to this cause and cannot help but express her fervent admiration for the actress.

At a special dinner event, Brazilian director Marianna Brennand received Kering’s emerging talent award, which comes with a €50,000 ($57,000 USD) grant for her next feature film. Notably, Marianna Brennand’s debut film “Manas” explores themes of sexual violence and incest in the Amazon region, where ‘manas’ is the Portuguese word for ‘sisters’. During her acceptance speech, Brennand emphasized the sisterhood she formed with the women and children she encountered while making her movie, as well as her bond with Nicole Kidman, who she partnered with through the “Women in Motion” initiative.

Brennand shared with EbMaster that the impact she’s made in the film industry is truly remarkable and profound. In a heartfelt moment just hours before at Nicole Kidman’s Kering Women in Motion talk, Brennand expressed to Kidman how much this encounter meant to her. She described it as one of the most significant moments of her life. Kidman was warm and thoughtful, offering words of encouragement: “You deserve it. Congratulations.” Kidman leaves one speechless with her kindness and care.

Peek into the glamorous black-tie event where stars like Vicky Krieps, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Julia Ducournau, Julia Garner, Charlotte Le Bon, Jameela Jamil, Carla Bruni, Zhang Linghe, Elodie Bouchez, Chie Hayakawa, Pierre Niney, Costa-Gavras, Amélie Bonnin, Virginie Efira, and Camélia Jordana graced the guest list. The night concluded with a captivating performance from French singer-songwriter Clara Luciani.

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2025-05-19 19:18