Director Jane Campion, favorite in the race for the Oscars, apologized to tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams on Monday for “reckless” remarks she made the day before at an awards ceremony.
The New Zealand filmmaker caused a scandal after receiving the best director trophy awarded in Los Angeles by film critics for her film The Power of the Dog.
On the stage Sunday evening, Jane Campion began by celebrating all the female talent gathered in the room, citing in particular the Williams sisters who were present alongside Will Smith, star of the biopic dedicated to the champions, The Williams Method.
“Serena and Venus, you are such wonders… but you don’t have to play against the boys like me,” she said.
This unexpected comment unleashed a shower of outraged reactions, denouncing remarks often judged as sexist and racist. Excerpts of the incident, where we can see the disillusioned air of Venus Williams, made the rounds of social networks.
On Monday, Jane Campion hastened to apologize. “I made a thoughtless comment comparing what I do in the world of cinema to all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have accomplished,” she wrote in a statement quoted by American media.
“I had no intention of devaluing these two legendary black women and world-class athletes,” continues the director, pointing out in passing that they have played well in matches against men during their careers.
The two champions have both won Grand Slam tournaments in mixed doubles.
“The last thing I would want is to diminish the merit of these remarkable women […] Serena and Venus, I beg your pardon and I totally celebrate you, ”concludes the filmmaker.
The scandal of Critics Choice Awards threatened to eclipse the serial successes of Jane Campion, who also won Britain’s Baftas and Directors’ Association of America awards this weekend, Directors Guild Awards.
The Power of the Dog and its director are among the big favorites for the Oscars, the supreme awards of American cinema, which will be awarded in Hollywood on March 27.