Truth Revolt
January 12, 2018
The 2018 Golden Globes was, according to Glamour, a “night of solidarity and kickass acceptance speeches.” Another media outlet similarly exclaimed, “Female Empowerment Stars at Golden Globes.” A third celebrated, “Female Empowerment Was The Big Theme Of The Golden Globes.” However, behind the veneer of pro-woman power, a contradiction loomed.
While presenting the nominees for best director, Natalie Portman took time to point out a horribly, ugly truth: they were all male. Gasp!
According to Glamour, Portman “threw the perfect amount of (sexist) shade at the all-male line-up.” NBC also hailed the feminist tint of the show:
“A-list actresses, from Natalie Portman to Jessica Chastain, served up jokes about gender inequality in their industry. Portman, presenting the award for best film director, made a point of saying all the nominees were men.”
Despite the high marks Portman received as a #MeToo hero sticking it to The Man, the actress in fact lacks consistency when it comes to protecting female victims of sex crimes: in 2009, she supported a petition by French author Bernard Henri Levy to release director-cum-child-predator Roman Polanski. Polanski was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. The levied crimes included “rape by use of drugs.” Polanski pled guilty to the least serious charge — unlawful sexual intercourse — in 1978. Additionally, five other women have accused him of sexual harassment or assault.
British actress Emma Thompson signed the petition for Polanski’s release as well, but after a brutal backlash, she removed her name. Portman remains unscathed. Other actresses who signed: 2012 Best Actress in a Drama contender Tilda Swinton, Isabelle Huppert (winner of the 2017 Golden Globe for Best Actress), Penelope Cruz (2010 Best Supporting Actress nominee), and Monica…