Sam Mendes said he thought it was “inevitable” that awards would be moved to gender-neutral categories in the future.
The film director and screenwriter, 57, admitted he thought it would be “perfectly reasonable” to eliminate separate categories for men and women when awarding prizes.
In his quest to make the film industry more inclusive, he told the BBC: “I totally understand that, yes, and I think it may be inevitable at some point.”
The future: Sam Mendes said he believes it’s “inevitable” that awards will be moved to gender-neutral categories
The ‘Empire of Light’ director, who won an Oscar for ‘American Beauty’ in 2000 and a BAFTA for ‘1917’ in 2020, stressed that awards shows are all about ‘selling’ films and providing A TV to viewers to entertain the show.
He added: “For me, people forget about awards, I think it happens all the time, they use it as a yardstick for the industry, but the truth is that awards are a TV show.
“You know, awards are there to promote films. If that film wins an award, I’m more likely to go there, and that’s what they’re doing there.”
“It’s not about you, it’s not about the art or craft of the industry, especially selling movies.”
Confession: The film director has admitted that he thinks it would be “perfectly reasonable” to remove the separate categories for men and women when awarding awards
But Sam insisted he does not reject the accolades he has received in the past.
He continued, “I’m not denying their importance, but I will say they were there to promote cinema and the art and craft of cinema. They’re the showcase, but they’re not the thing itself.”
The debate over gender-neutral categories arose after Emma Corrin – who identifies as non-binary and uses gender-neutral pronouns – previously called for gender to be abolished at awards shows.
The Crown star said: “I’m hoping for a future where that happens. I don’t think the categories are comprehensive enough at the moment.
Inclusive: In his quest to make the film industry more inclusive, he told the BBC: “I understand completely, yes, and I think it may be inevitable at some point.”
“I’m now struggling to justify in my head being non-binary and being nominated in female categories.
“Should we indicate in the categories whether you are nominated for a female or a male role?”
Sam’s comments come after the director opened up about his childhood and how he was raised by a single mother following his parents’ divorce when he was just three years old in a new interview.
He admitted he had to “raise” his own mother, Valerie, from an early age – he grew faster than most as he watched her be “manipulated” by men.
Where it all started: The debate over gender-neutral categories arose after Emma Corrin – who identifies as non-binary and uses gender-neutral pronouns – previously called for gender to be abolished at awards shows
And that upbringing was the inspiration for his new and deeply personal film Empire Of Light, based on his mother’s struggle with mental health.
Sam was three years old when his parents, children’s author Valerie and professor Jameson Peter Mendes, split up.
This kept Valerie a single mother to the aspiring film fanatic, who explains that it was also a big role for him as a man of the house.
Speaking to The Guardian, he explained: “As a child you have to deal with what’s in front of you. And what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Mother and son: Sam’s comments come after the director opened up about his childhood and growing up as a single mother following his parents’ divorce (pictured with his mother Valerie in 2000) in a new interview.
“It certainly gave me resources, but it also made me a caretaker. In a way, I raised my own mother.”
Of his mother, now 83, and her mental health problems, Sam said: “Even as a child I could see my mother being manipulated when she was being medicated or controlled, mostly by men.
“By coming off the medication, she was finally able to tell them the truth. I found it heroic. There was something extraordinary about her turning against her. And wonderful. Her whole self came out,” he continued.
He recalls: “It certainly gave me resources, but it also made me a breadwinner. In a way, I raised my own mother” (picture early 2000s)
He drew on these experiences for Empire Of Light, a romance/drama centered on a single woman with mental health issues.
The new version has quite the cast, with Olivia Colman, Colin Firth and Michael Ward all starring.
Sam’s mother, Valerie, has seen the film and given her permission, with the director saying: “You know very well that the film is based on an autobiography and you note the sensitivity of it. There’s a weakness in certain scenes that you have to respect.’
Synopsis: Filmmaker Empire of Light’s new movie is a romance/drama about a single woman with mental health issues
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Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
