The director of the film “The Substance“, Coralie Fargeat, has announced that she will be pulling her film from the Camerimage Film Festival. This decision comes after the festival’s director, Marek Żydowicz, wrote a column that some have interpreted as misogynistic.
In the column, Żydowicz suggested that showcasing more female cinematographers and directors could lead to the inclusion of “mediocre film productions” at the expense of “works and artists with outstanding artistic achievements.” He also stated that festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice are criticized for succumbing to or promoting political or ideological trends, but Camerimage remains committed to artistic values.
Żydowicz has since claimed that his column was misunderstood and that he has nothing but respect for women. However, Fargeat has decided to pull “The Substance” from the festival, stating that she cannot tolerate the kind of behavior exhibited by Żydowicz. She also expressed her support for the festival and its attendees, hoping that her decision will help create a much-needed change.
“The Substance” is a critically acclaimed film that explores the impact of societal expectations on individuals. It stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, and is now available to stream on Mubi in select countries. The film follows Elisabeth Sparkle, a fitness TV show host who is fired by her boss when she turns 50, and her subsequent decision to use a mysterious drug called “The Substance” to create a younger version of herself.
As Nick Levine wrote in his five-star review for NME, “The Substance” is a “future cult classic that also packs a real punch now. It’s horrifying in the moment and gnawingly haunting when you process it fully: a sickening satire of society’s obsession with youth and beauty.”
