Thor: Love and Thunder actor Natalie Portman showed up to the Oscars wearing a cape with a number female directors’ names embroidered on it.
When asked why she had the names embroidered on her cape, she explained her reasoning to LA Times reporter, Amy Kaufman.
Portman stated, “I wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year in my subtle way.”
Natalie Portman embroidered her Dior cape with all of the female directors who weren’t nominated for #Oscars. Check out her explanation here. pic.twitter.com/kyyo2wVMZf
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) February 10, 2020
She would reaffirm her statement on Instagram sharing the video and showing a number of photos of her in her Oscars dress and cape.
She wrote on Instagram, “Honoring these remarkable women last night who were not recognized for their incredible work: Lulu Wang, Greta Gerwig, Loren Escafaria, Marielle Heller, Mati Diop, Melina Matsoukas, Alma Har’el, and Celine Sciamma.”
An astute user on Twitter, would compile the directors’ names and the films they directed: Lorene Scafaria directed Hustlers, Lulu Wang directed The Farewell, Greta Gerwig directed Little Women, Mati Diop directed Atlantics, Marielle Heller directed A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Melina Matsoukas directed Queen & Slim, Alma Har’el directed Honey Boy, and Celina Sciamma directed Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”
If you’re wondering!
HUSTLERS – Lorene Scafaria
THE FAREWELL – Lulu Wang
LITTLE WOMEN – Greta Gerwig
ATLANTICS – Mati Diop
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – Marielle Heller
QUEEN & SLIM – Melina Matsoukas
HONEY BOY – Alma Har’el
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – Céline Sciamma— Our Lord † Savior Phoebe Waller-Bridge (@thephilberg) February 10, 2020
Portman would be criticized for the dress for not practicing what she preaches.
In a nearly 30 year career, she’s worked with 2 female directors. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” clearly isn’t part of her philosophy. Practice what you preach.
— Jason (@JasonCregan) February 10, 2020
In fact, her next projects feature male directors. Taika Waititi is directing Thor: Love and Thunder and Keith Scholey is directing Dolphin Reef.
And as pointed out by Jason Cregan, Portman has only starred in two films with a solo female director in her 26 year acting career. She starred in Planetarium in 2016 directed by Rebecca Zlotowski and A Tale of Love and Darkness, which she directed herself. Her first acting credit on IMDB is Mathilda in 1994’s Léon: The Professional directed by Luc Besson.
Portman did star in The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards in 2015 which had three female directors as well as six male directors.
She also starred in New York, I Love You in 2008, her segment of the film was directed by Mira Nair. Portman also directed a segment of the film as well.
What do you make of Portman’s dress and the message she wanted to send?