Filmmaker Jane Campion has faced a backlash over comments she made about Venus and Serena Williams during her victory speech at the Critics Choice Awards.
Campion won the award for Best Director following the breakout success of her brooding Western drama “Power of the Dog”.
During her acceptance speech, she began saluting the male nominees in her category including Steven Spielberg for “West Side Story” and Paul Thomas Anderson for “Licorice Pizza”.
She then turned her attention to the Williams sisters, adding: “Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels. However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.”
The tennis legends were in attendance due to their involvement in King Richard, the Will Smith-starring biopic about their father, Richard Williams.
The remarks appeared to be warmly received in the room. However, Campion later faced criticism on social media.
“Jane Campion messed up big there,” wrote journalist Bonga Dlulane “She could have thanked the people and gone after misogyny and sexism without involving the Williams sisters. Does she think they haven’t had to deal with sexism, misogyny and racism?”
“Jane Campion really got on stage and decided to tear two Black women down for no f***ing reason whatsoever,” tweeted Imani Gandy, senior editor for academic journal Law & Policy.
“Venus Williams is me after Jane Campion’s unnecessary comment during her #CriticsChoiceAwards speech,” journalist Nola Marianna commented, sharing a photo of the tennis pro appearing to grimace during Campion’s speech.”
Feminist writer Roxane Gay wrote: “It’s amazing how much real estate the Williams occupy in people’s minds. And in addition to the racism of it all, Campion is suggesting that competing against men is more difficult/legitimate than competing against women. Has she met women?”
The Standard has contacted a representative of Jane Campion for comment.
