Guillermo del Toro and Steven Spielberg respond to Natalie Portman's Golden Globes zinger
'There is phenomenal work being done by female directors'
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.Introducing the best directors category at the Golden Globes, Natalie Portman slyly announced “the all-male nominees” to some gasps and laughter.
Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk), Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards), Ridley Scott (All the Money in the World), Steven Spielberg (The Post), and Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) were those up for the award, and you would think the eventual winner would be slightly annoyed.
Luckily, Del Toro — who took home the prize — was not offended in the slightest, telling IndieWire: “I think it was great! She should say exactly what she feels. There is phenomenal work being done by female directors.”
The director then singled out three movies directed by women that have stood out from the last year — mentioning Dee Rees’ Mudbound, Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman — and calling them all “terrific”.
Spielberg has also spoken about Portman’s comments, telling Entertainment Tonight: “There’s a watershed happening right now, slowly, maybe not fast enough, for women directors.
“I mean you have Patty Jenkins. We have some amazing women that have come forward, you know Mudbound and Lady Bird. This is a pretty incredible year, and I think you'll be seeing some nominations. I’m predicting at the Oscars this year for a woman director, if not several.”
Whether any women will get nominated for the best directing Oscar remains to be seen, but the BAFTAs also managed to exclude women from the category this year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments