sexualized assaults
Maria Schrader: Rethinking in the film industry since #MeToo
Director Maria Schrader at the premiere of her film “She Said” in Berlin. photo
© Paul Zinken/dpa
Maria Schrader’s film “She Said” is about the case of Harvey Weinstein, who played a key role in triggering the #MeToo movement. Since then, the film industry has learned something new, says Schrader.
Since the #MeToo debate, director Maria Schrader has seen a rethink in the film industry and other working environments. The 57-year-old said on Tuesday evening in Berlin before the German premiere of her film “She Said”.
In it, Schrader films the revelations by New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor about allegations of abuse against film producer Harvey Weinstein. Since then, women around the world have reported their own experiences with harassment or sexualized assaults using the keyword #MeToo.
“It actually felt like windows and doors suddenly opened and light poured into a darkened room of silence,” Schrader said. Since then there has been a change in thinking that does not only affect your industry. “In my line of work, for example, there are ‘Intimacy Consultants’, there was always a therapist present on our set. Everyone was informed about who to turn to if there were things to discuss. Myself as the ‘boss “Director, I signed a paper with rules of conduct, I was happy to sign that too, but that was also the first time. So the projects and teams will certainly be more diverse, and yes, certain hierarchical systems will be reconsidered.”
“She Said” starts in German cinemas on December 8th.