Director Jane Campion has lately been under criticism for her newest film The Power of the Dog, which has received a lot of attention and huge awards during award season.
Campion’s attendance at the Critics Choice Awards sparked the debate. Campion said she was pleased to be there alongside tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams as she accepted her award for Best Director.
The sisters were in attendance to support King Richard, the Will Smith-directed biopic about their father that garnered Smith an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Campion made a point during her remarks about how all of the other Best Director candidates were males.
“Venus and Serena, you’re such wonders,” she remarked straight to the Williams sisters. You, on the other hand, don’t have to play against the boys as I do.”
Jane Campion accepting her #CriticsChoiceAwards for Best Director saying “Venus and Serena you’re marvels but you don’t have to compete against the men like I do” pic.twitter.com/eQZpabGI9V
— Will Mavity (@mavericksmovies) March 14, 2022
Campion received outrage on social media as a consequence of his statements. The Oscar winner was chastised for implying that the Williams sisters had it easy since they didn’t have to compete with males.
Fans of the tennis legends said that this tarnished their reputations and that women could compete with the men in their sport just as well.
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Campion has now issued a public apology, apologizing for what she said and clarifying her true feelings towards Venus and Serena Williams.
“I made a careless remark comparing what I do in the film industry with all Serena and Venus Williams have accomplished.”
“I had no intention of undermining these two famous Black women and world-class athletes,” Campion said in a statement, as reported by Variety.
“The Williams sisters have, in fact, faced up against males on the court and off, and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in our society,” the director of Power of the Dog continued.
“The last thing I want to do is undervalue exceptional women.” Serena and Venus are two of my favorite characters. Their achievements are enormous and impressive. I apologize and fully congratulate you, Serena and Venus.”
Everybody going “she is my queen” when Jane Campion called Sam Elliot a bitch but now it’s awkward when she say some sideways shit about Venus & Serena. Gotta learn we can’t be stans for these people or anyone. They don’t care about you
— VyceVictus (@VyceVictus) March 14, 2022
::::deep Negro sigh:::: https://t.co/OdoLNbHNXK
— Sasha🇺🇦 (@SashaBeauIoux) March 14, 2022
The funny thing about Jane Campion’s unnecessary victory dance on Venus & Serena Williams’ backs is Venus & Serena have had to fight both white men & women constantly denigrating them & they’ve never said a bad word about a random woman.
— Cipher of the Golden Spatula (@snarkylicious) March 14, 2022
The Power of the Dog Has Also Been Subject to Controversy
This squabble erupted after Jane Campion and Sam Elliott traded public barbs.
On Marc Maron’s “WTF” show, Elliott recently slammed The Power of the Dog. Based on the way some characters were presented and her choice to shoot the picture in New Zealand, the actor further believed Campion had little knowledge of the American West.
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Campion had retaliated with a scathing retort to Elliott.
“I believe Sam… What can I say, really? Campion told Variety, “I’m sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H.” “I’m sorry, but he’s not a cowboy; he’s a performer.”
The West is a mythological place, and there’s plenty of room for everyone on the range.
You know, I think it’s a tad sexist, especially when you consider how many fantastic Westerns Sergio Leone created in Spain. I consider myself a creator, and I believe he first saw me like a lady or something less, which I don’t like.”
