Moore warns gender equality remains distant global goal at Cannes ceremony
Julianne Moore tells Linxi News that progress on gender parity must be incremental, as Kering’s initiative honours advocacy and emerging talent in the film industry.
Oscar-winning actor Julianne Moore has declared that true gender equality remains a distant objective globally, challenging the notion that such disparities are confined to the entertainment sector. Speaking at a Women in Motion ceremony held alongside the Cannes Film Festival, Moore accepted an award for her advocacy for women in cinema, using the platform to highlight the structural nature of the issue.
The event, organised by French luxury group Kering, took place at the historic Place de la Castre in Grasse. Guests, including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Colman Domingo, and Odessa A'zion, attended the elegant soiree overlooking the French Riviera, separate from the main festival’s red carpet activities. Moore, who won the Academy Award for best actress in 2015 for her role in Still Alice, emphasised that the struggle for parity is a worldwide phenomenon rather than one endemic to Hollywood.
"We're pretty far away, honestly, in lots of the world in terms of real gender equality," Moore told Reuters. She noted that while the film industry is a visible arena for these debates, the inequality is systemic and pervasive across different societies and sectors.
Moore described the path to improvement as requiring persistent, incremental effort. Comparing the process to a mouse getting through a wall, she advised that progress must be made "one bite at a time," achieved through mindful choices, speaking up, and utilising privilege to hire more women. This approach underscores the institutional shifts required rather than relying on isolated gestures.
The Women in Motion initiative, established by Kering in 2015, also presented a 50,000-euro emerging talent award to Italian filmmaker Margherita Spampinato for her second feature film. Salma Hayek, who is married to Kering’s controlling shareholder and chair Francois-Henri Pinault, praised Moore as an inspiration with impeccable taste, noting her consistent brilliance over decades.
Moore, who began her career in daytime soap operas including As the World Turns, has frequently used her platform to advocate for greater equality and representation in public life. Her remarks at the Grasse ceremony reinforce the ongoing dialogue regarding governance and representation within the cultural sector.
