guardian 25 March 2013
Helen Mirren criticises Sam Mendes' all-male inspiration list at Empire awards
Skyfall director chided for citing only male film-makers in awards ceremony acceptance speech
Hellen Mirren last night criticised the Oscar-winning British film-maker Sam Mendes after the director failed to mention any women as influences during an acceptance speech at the Empire awards.
Speaking as she picked up her own "Legend" award on stage, Mirren noted the director of recent James Bond movie Skyfall had cited a string of male directors – including Paul Thomas Anderson, François Truffaut, Martin Scorsese and Ingmar Bergman – but ignored the contributions of female film-makers. Mendes had earlier picked up awards for best director, best film and the Empire "Inspiration" award at the ceremony in central London.
"It was great to hear Sam [Mendes'] list of moments that inspired him... I did however note there was not one woman's name there, behind the camera," said Mirren, to cheers from the audience. "Nothing against Sam … I hope, I pray, I know in five or 10 years, when the next Sam gets up and make his or hopefully her speech … there will be 2 or 3 or 4 women's names there ... Go girls!"
http://www.dailymail...ire-Awards.html