A Polish film festival has been thrown into turmoil after its founder lamented the “mediocre” work of women and criticized calls for more women in the film industry.
The Camerimage film festival – which kicked off this weekend in the Polish city of Torun – is said to be one of the industry’s most highly anticipated events of the year.
Hollywood heavyweights like Cate Blanchett leads the prize jury and director Steve McQueen would be guest of honor.
However, the festival has now been thrown into chaos after Polish filmmaker and founder of Camerimage Marek Zydowicz wrote an article that many have called ‘deeply misogynistic’.
This has led to stars pulling out and protests taking to the streets.
The backlash came after Zydowicz addressed calls for more female cinematographers to be included in the 30-year event.
In a column for Cinematography World magazine, he said it was “crucial because it corrects the obvious injustices in social development.”
He claimed that Camerimage would not follow in the footsteps of other European film festivals that had been “criticized for their selections for succumbing to or promoting such trends.”
Poland’s Camerimage Film FestivAL has been thrown into chaos after filmmaker and founder Marek Zydowicz (pictured) wrote an article that many are calling ‘deeply misogynistic’
Following his comments, stars have withdrawn and protesters have taken to the streets outside the event in the Polish city of Torun
The main judges, including Cate Blanchett, decided to attend the festival. In a statement, they said they welcomed the debate on gender representation and that they “wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards true inclusivity.”
In response to his comments, Steve Mcqueen canceled his trip and withdrew his film Blitz, which was set to kick off the festival.
He was joined by French female director Coralie Fargeat of the smash body-horror blockbuster The Substance starring Hollywood legend Demi Moore.
Reported in words by The timesFargeat said: ‘The Substance is about the impact of exactly this kind of behavior on our world. We shouldn’t tolerate them anymore.’
The British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), whose members have won 22 Oscars between them, published an open letter condemning Zydowicz’s column.
At first, Zydowicz tried to stand his ground, arguing that his comments had been “misinterpreted.”
As opposition grew, so did pressure on the 65-year-old director, who later issued an apology claiming he never intended to “undermine the achievements of any filmmakers.”
He also added that “whether this misunderstanding arose from an unfortunate choice of words or an inaccurate translation from Polish is irrelevant.”
Demi Moore in this summer’s smash body-horror blockbuster The Substance. The film’s female director Coralie Fargeat was one of several stars to withdraw from the festival
Initially, Zydowicz tried to stand his ground, arguing that his comments had been “misinterpreted,” but as opposition grew, so did pressure on the 65-year-old director, who later apologized.
Director Steve McQueen with the star of his new film Blitz Saoirse Ronan. In response to Zydowicz’s comments, Steve Mcqueen canceled his trip and withdrew his film Blitz from the festival.
The main judges, including Blanchett, decided to attend the festival.
In a statement, they said they welcomed the debate on gender representation and “wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards true inclusivity.”
The festival will feature the world premiere of Alec Baldwin’s western Rust, which was delayed after Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while on set in October 2021.
Other films showing include Dune: Part Two and the upcoming musical Wicked.