McQueen Drops Out of Camerimage Over Founder’s Controversial Op-Ed About Female Cinematographers
Steve McQueen Drops Out of Camerimage Over Founder's Controversial Op-Ed About Female Cinematographers (Exclusive) https://t.co/qCWo8wdzem
- The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 12, 2024
'Blitz' director Steve McQueen has dropped out of Poland’s Camerimage Film Festival following a controversial editorial about female cinematographers written by the festival’s founder and CEO.
“Having read Marek Zydowicz’s op-ed concerning female cinematographers, I have decided not to attend the opening night presentation of my film Blitz this weekend. Although he has issued an apology, I cannot get past what I consider deeply offensive words. I have enormous respect for cinematographers of all genders including women, and believe we have to do and demand better to make room for everyone at the table.”
The film will still play as the opening night film but McQueen will not longer attend. He was also slated to receive the outstanding director award as part of the opening night ceremony.
Żydowicz's statement,
“it was with great sadness that I accepted Steve McQueen’s decision to withdraw from the festival. I apologize once more, and I would like to take this opportunity to sit down in an open forum and talk about how to move forward together in a more open and inclusive manner. The festival is here to embrace each other as a community and to share in the appreciation of the images we cherish together as a community. Let’s have a meaningful discourse together as a community so that we can begin to rebuild in a more equitable manner. Let us have a conversation and determine the steps that will make the festival, our industry, more open, unified, and representative of all voices.”
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