Nicole Kidman, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actress, has seemingly taken a jab at legendary director Martin Scorsese for his consistent focus on male protagonists in his films. During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Kidman expressed her desire to collaborate with the 81-year-old filmmaker, but with a notable stipulation: she would only be interested if he were to create a film centered around female characters.
In her conversation, Kidman reflected on her extensive career and the directors she has worked with, which sparked interest when she mentioned Scorsese. “I’ve always said I want to work with Scorsese if he does a film with women,” she stated, highlighting the lack of female representation in much of his work. This comment comes on the heels of her viral moment earlier this year when she listed every director she has collaborated with while accepting the AFI Life Achievement Award.
Kidman’s subtle critique is not without merit, as Scorsese has faced criticism over the years for his predominantly male-driven narratives. Iconic films such as Goodfellas, The Irishman, and The Wolf of Wall Street feature male leads and often portray women as secondary characters. In her interview, Kidman also named other directors she hopes to work with, including Kathryn Bigelow, Spike Jonze, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Michael Haneke, further emphasizing her desire for more diverse storytelling in cinema.
While Kidman did not elaborate extensively on her critique of Scorsese, her comments echo sentiments previously expressed by fellow actress Meryl Streep. In 2011, Streep remarked during an interview that she wished Scorsese would show interest in female characters more frequently. “I would like Martin Scorsese to be interested in a female character once in a while,” she said candidly.
Scorsese has defended his directorial choices in the past, asserting that his films aim to authentically portray masculine experiences. In a 1990s interview with Entertainment Weekly, he explained, “The films I’m dealing with have often been about men’s worlds, where the women seem to be adjuncts.” He acknowledged that while he includes strong female characters in his stories, they are often not at the forefront.
Despite this defense, many critics argue that Scorsese’s body of work reflects a persistent trend of sidelining women. The director has only featured films with female protagonists sporadically throughout his nearly five-decade career. His most notable film featuring a strong female lead was Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, released almost 50 years ago.
In response to ongoing criticism regarding his portrayal of women, Scorsese has maintained that he strives for authenticity rather than political correctness. “I don’t think it’s right to overbalance it just for the sake of trying to be politically correct,” he stated in defense of his creative decisions.
As Nicole Kidman continues to advocate for more inclusive storytelling in Hollywood, her comments serve as a reminder of the ongoing conversation about gender representation in film. With her impressive body of work and commitment to diverse narratives, Kidman remains a powerful voice in the industry.
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