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Kristen Stewart has stated she is “so angry” that progress for female directors in the film industry have reversed after a short-lived surge of positive change following the #MeToo era.

The Twilight star, who helmed the upcoming film The Chronology of Water, gave an emotional speech at a women’s luncheon in LA organized by the Oscars organization.

“The regression from a brief moment of advancement is alarming by the numbers,” she told the audience. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the previous year have been made by women.”

An annual report that monitors the presence of women directors stated that 11 of the highest-grossing films of last year were helmed by female directors, down from sixteen in the year 2020.

‘Boys’ Club Business Model’

During her speech, Stewart said: “In a post-MeToo moment, it appeared likely that stories made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even encouraged to express ourselves and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered.

“But I can now attest to the intense struggle that it requires at each stage when the content is too dark, too controversial, when the frankness with which it presents insights about experiences routinely experienced by women, often elicits disgust and rejection.”

She added: “We can discuss pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and quantify the imbalance in many measurable forms. But the violence of silencing, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I could devour this stand with a fork and [expletive] knife. I’m furious.”

Attendees hearing Stewart’s address included a number of well-known female stars.

Stewart received several rounds of applause during the duration of her seven-minute speech.

“I appreciate you,” she stated. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework that claims to desire to hang out with us while siphoning our resources and belittling our true perspectives. We must avoid being used as tokens. It’s time to create our own value.”

Upcoming projects from a few women filmmakers are among those for the next Academy Awards, but the top directing award is anticipated again to be male in majority.