Venice Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal Says Films Are ‘Fundamentally, Unavoidably Political’ and Questions Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘There’s a Systemic Problem’

At the 83rd Venice Film Festival, jury president and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal addressed the press during the opening proceedings to characterize cinema as fundamentally and unavoidably political. Gyllenhaal emphasized the necessity of acknowledging the political nature of film, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as domestic unrest in the United States.

During the jury press conference, Gyllenhaal also highlighted a concern regarding the gender disparity among directors selected for the festival's competition. She identified the limited representation of female filmmakers as a systemic issue within the industry, signaling that the jury's perspective will be shaped by these broader social and structural considerations as the festival begins.