Maggie Gyllenhaal Calls Films 'Unavoidably Political' and Urges Festival to Address Gender Inequality

When Art Meets Politics

It didn't take long for politics to take center stage at this year's Venice Film Festival jury press conference. Amid global turmoil — from the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, to domestic unrest in the United States — jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal found herself at the heart of a broader conversation about the role of cinema in society.

"Look, we could say, how are we possibly here talking about movies right now when the world is in a state of emergency? To me, the answer has something to do with empathy. I think that film allows an opening into an opportunity to find empathy inside of ourselves," Gyllenhaal said.

As one of Hollywood's most compelling voices, Gyllenhaal didn't shy away from the question of whether cinema should be political. Instead, she made a bold assertion: films are not just entertainment — they're inherently political. In an age where cultural artifacts often serve as battlegrounds for social and political ideologies, her words struck a chord with many who see filmmaking as both art and activism.

Gender Disparity in Competition

The conversation took a more pointed turn when Gyllenhaal addressed the underrepresentation of women in this year's Venice competition lineup. Only one film — "Woman Unknown" by Danish-Egyptian director May El-Toukhy — was helmed solely by a woman. When asked about the lack of female directors, she didn't pull punches:

"I guess it's finally become clear that men make better movies than women do," she deadpanned.

Her comment was met with discomfort and raised eyebrows, but also served as a wake-up call. Gyllenhaal was quick to elaborate on what she saw as a deeper systemic issue — the barriers that prevent women from securing financing and distribution for their work.

A Systemic Problem

"There's a systemic problem," Gyllenhaal emphasized, underscoring how difficult it is for female filmmakers to navigate an industry that has historically favored male voices. "It's harder for women to get films financed."

This wasn't just about numbers — it was about access, visibility, and power. Gyllenhaal asked a crucial question: Who decides what's good? Who determines what's valuable in cinema? She challenged the notion that certain stories or perspectives are inherently less important or artistic.

The Jury's Role

Gyllenhaal, representing the seven-member jury at Venice, also acknowledged the significance of her position. Her committee includes a diverse group of filmmakers from around the globe — Tunisian Kaouther Ben Hania, Hong Kong's Johnnie To, Afghan Shahrbanoo Sadat, French Xavier Giannoli, British composer Daniel Blumberg, and Italian scholar Francesco Casetti. The inclusion of this international mix is vital in representing the wide range of perspectives that make up global cinema.

Her presence at the press conference also marked a shift — not only was she the head of the main competition jury but she was also taking a stand on issues that extend far beyond filmmaking itself. In an industry that has long been criticized for its lack of gender equity, her voice carried weight and urgency.

Global Response and Festival Backlash

The festival's decision to proceed with the jury press conference after initially considering scrapping it due to scheduling conflicts sparked broader debate. Some perceived the cancellation as a move to shield jurors from political scrutiny, which only fueled further controversy. After public backlash, Venice reinstated the event, but not before the moment had already drawn international attention.

Across the global film circuit, such conversations are becoming more common. At the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, jury president Wim Wenders sparked a firestorm when he suggested filmmakers should stay out of politics. His comments were widely criticized, and Berlin's artistic director Tricia Tuttle publicly defended artists' right to engage with political issues.

Pressure from Cultural Groups

The Venice Festival was also under pressure from the Venice4Palestine collective, which issued an open letter calling for the festival to take action in support of Palestine. The group requested that the Palestinian flag be flown throughout the event — a demand that underscored how the festival's role as a cultural institution is now being scrutinized in light of global conflicts.

Ben Hania, whose 2025 film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" won the Silver Lion and received a standing ovation, has a personal stake in this conversation. Her work continues to be a powerful example of how cinema can reflect the lived experiences of those affected by conflict and displacement.

Art as Resistance

Artistic director Alberto Barbera described this year's lineup as the festival's most politically charged in recent years, featuring films that tackle war, Palestine, immigration, climate change, social tension, and shrinking freedoms. "We are a space for freedom of expression," Barbera said. "Our role is to safeguard freedom of expression for everyone, for the artists, and to safeguard the confrontation between artists and the public, the critics and people in general."

By choosing to address these issues head-on, Gyllenhaal has helped reaffirm that cinema isn't just a reflection of our times — it's an active participant in shaping them. In doing so, she's challenged the industry to do better, not just for women, but for all artists who want to tell stories that matter.

The Road Ahead

As the film world continues to evolve, the conversation around gender, politics, and access is far from over. Gyllenhaal's remarks at Venice are a reminder that cinema has always been political — and that it's time for the industry to acknowledge its role in amplifying or marginalizing voices.

We must ask ourselves: What kind of stories do we want to tell? Who gets to tell them? And how can we ensure that those voices are not just heard, but truly empowered?