Director Jane Cambion, a favorite in the Oscar race, apologized to tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams on Monday for the “reckless” comments she made the day before at an awards ceremony.
The New Zealand director caused a scandal after she received the Best Director award given in Los Angeles by film critics for her film ” The Power of the Dog “.
On stage Sunday night, Jane Cambion began by celebrating all the female talent gathered in the room, specifically mentioning the Williams sisters who were present alongside Will Smith, the protagonist of the biopic dedicated to the champions, “The Williams Method.”
“Serena and Aphrodite, you are so wonderful … but you do not have to play against boys like me,” he said.
This unexpected comment unleashed a barrage of outraged reactions, denouncing comments that are often judged as sexist and racist. Excerpts from the incident, where we see the disappointed air of Venus Williams, made the rounds of social networks.
On Monday, Jane Cambion rushed to apologize. “I made a reckless comment comparing what I do in the world of cinema to everything Serena Williams and Venus Williams have accomplished,” she wrote in a statement cited by US media.
“I had no intention of underestimating these two legendary black women and world-class athletes,” he said, noting that they have played well in men’s competitions throughout their careers.
Both champions have won both Grand Slam doubles tournaments.
“The last thing I would like is to reduce the value of these remarkable women (…) Serena and Venus, I apologize to you and I celebrate you completely”, the director concludes.
His scandal Critics’ Choice Awards threatened to overshadow the serial success of Jane Campion, who also won the Baftas Awards and the Directors Guild of Britain this weekend.
” The Power of the Dog And his director are among the big favorites for the Oscars, the supreme awards of American cinema, which will be awarded in Hollywood on March 27.
