Emma Thompson: Hollywood's enduring sexism is 'very disturbing and sad'

Emma Thompson still sees plenty of sexism, ageism in Hollywood

(Image credit: Tristan Fewings/Getty/Moet Awards)

published 21 July 2015

Emma Thompson sees no "appreciable improvement" in the movie industry's treatment of female actors, she told Radio Times magazine, and "the question of how they are supposed to look is worse than it was even when I was young." In fact, Thompson added, "some forms of sexism and unpleasantness to women have become more entrenched and indeed more prevalent."

Thompson, 56, said that Hollywood is still ageist and still offers few good opportunities for women, things that were supposed to change. "When I was younger, I really did think we were on our way to a better world and when I look at it now, it is in a worse state than I have known it, particularly for women and I find that very disturbing and sad," she said. She acknowledged that her newest role, a 77-year-old prostitute in the film The Legend of Barney Thompson, is "a bit ageist" itself, but added that "it’s a wildly comic role and I couldn’t resist." Read more of Thompson's interview at Radio Times.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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