Oscars 2023: Sarah Polley brings women’s voices and wins the Oscar for best adaptation for Women Talking

Despite the contempt shown towards women during an Oscars edition in which no women were nominated in the best director category, Canadian screenwriter and director Sarah Polley created a surprise, winning Oscar for best adaptation.

“Women speak out”

Adapted from author noveldirected by a woman and filmed under feminist working conditions, Women who speak it was an exception in a context where directors were snubbed during the ceremony. Aware of the political roots of her film, Sarah Polley opened her acceptance speech with an affront to patriarchy:

“First, let me thank the Academy for not taking offense that ‘Women Talking’ these two words are so close together: talking women. »

“It is a promise, a commitment and an anchor”

So the director honored Canadian writer Miriam Toewswhose work gives pride of place to speaking and listening :

“Miriam Toews has written an essential novel about a radical act of democracy where people who disagree get to sit together in a room and find a way together, without violence. »

Polley emphasized the importance of the themes addressed in the film, adding: “The last line is spoken by a young woman to her newborn child, and says: “Your story will be different from ours.” It is a promise, a commitment and an anchor “.

Carried by an almost exclusively female cast and great actresses, including Rooney Mara, Claire Foy and Frances McDormandthe film tells the story of women from an isolated religious community in North America who discover they have been drugged and raped by the men of the villageleft post bail for arrested attackers. In their absence, these women reunite decide whether to forgive, take revenge or leave. Released in theaters on March 8, the film is still visible (and a must see!) on the big screen.