After over 25 years in front of the camera, Kristen Stewart has experienced a significant change in how Hollywood regards her, largely due to her Kristen Stewart directorial debut. Her first film as a director, The Chronology of Water, premiered last year at Cannes, marking a turning point in her career and how peers perceive her creative abilities.
Stewart shared that since moving behind the camera, she has been treated
“like I’m somebody with a brain,”
a stark contrast to her previous experiences as an actress.
Challenges Faced by Actresses Compared to Directors
She has spoken candidly about the difficult realities female actors face in the industry. Stewart said,
“Actresses get treated like sh*t, I’ve got to tell you. People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, wow, this is a different experience, they are talking to me like I’m somebody with a brain,”
referencing a long-standing bias and lack of respect toward actresses.
She also discussed the myths surrounding directors, noting,
“There’s this idea that directors have otherworldly abilities, which is not true. It’s an idea perpetuated by men. Not to sound like I’m complaining all the time, but it’s worse for female actors than male ones — they get treated like puppets, but they are not.”
Immersive Experience and Artistic Commitment in Directing
Kristen Stewart reflected on the all-consuming nature of directing, emphasizing the intensity involved in the creative process. Of the lead actress in her film, she remarked,
“Imogen Poots put her whole body and soul into this movie,”
highlighting the deep dedication required.
Stewart also admitted,
“Film is 100 per cent all-consuming. I was a maniac on this movie. I barely existed outside of it, but I’ve never felt more alive,”
illustrating the personal transformation her directorial role triggered.
The Story Behind The Chronology of Water and Its Impact
Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir, the film stars Imogen Poots as a young woman overcoming an abusive childhood by becoming a competitive swimmer. The story’s raw emotional core, combined with Stewart’s passionate direction, has helped the film resonate with audiences and critics alike. Currently, the movie is screening in theaters and contributing to ongoing conversations about gender inequality and creative respect in Hollywood.
