Jane Fonda on Hollywood Sexism: Male Studio Execs Look for What’s ‘Familiar’ and ‘Comfortable’

“If the narratives only come from men, we’re missing the narrative of half of the world’s population!” the actress says about the lack of female directors

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Jane Fonda attends the Kering Official Cannes Dinner at Place de la Castre on May 17, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Venturelli/Getty Images)
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Jane Fonda is the latest actress to speak out about sexism in Hollywood, arguing that there are more male directors than females because male studio execs tend to look for what’s “comfortable.”

“When your job is on the line and you’re earning millions of dollars as a studio executive, you tend to be conservative and go in the direction of what’s familiar and comfortable,” she told Vulture. “What’s familiar is someone that looks like you — a white male, probably.”

According to the actress, who is getting buzz this month for her new movie, “Youth,” Hollywood needs to change this specific mindset.

“It’s important because women view things differently, whether it’s a relationship or the entire global situation,” she said. “If the narratives only come from men, we’re missing the narrative of half of the world’s population!”

The two-time Oscar winner continued to talk about how movies affect our consciousness, and that excluding women from being considered as directors will affect men as well.

“Movies are what create our consciousness, so we’re being harmed — not just women, but men, too,” she continued.

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