I make a pledge to all of you that I will not let anyone silence me. This is my promise and commitment. The date is January 11, 2018. Let’s share this on Facebook, Twitter, and Flipboard.
Gal Gadot, the real-life wonder woman, gave an awe-inspiring speech at the 23rd Critics’ Choice Awards. The DC star was presented with the #SeeHer Award by the director of the movie Wonder Woman, Patty Jenkins. This award acknowledges actors who portray female characters with authenticity and honesty, thereby defying the stereotype of women in both the entertainment industry and on screen. Interestingly, a recent study showed that the number of women behind the camera in Hollywood has remained unchanged for the past two decades.
Jenkins expressed that Gadot’s motivation for portraying the character of Wonder Woman was not driven by personal gain such as fame and wealth, but rather for the greater good. She understood the significance of this character and its potential impact on the world if portrayed effectively. Gadot was then presented with an award by Jenkins for her leading role in the film that grossed over $5 billion worldwide in 2017. Gadot shared that throughout her career, she was always asked about her dream role. She stated that she always knew she wanted to portray a strong and independent female character, one that is authentic. This is why she found her role as Wonder Woman to be a perfect match.
The speaker described her on-screen character as someone who possesses a great deal of heart, strength, empathy, and willingness to forgive. They added that the character is motivated by a strong sense of justice and takes action even when others are idle. The speaker also highlighted how the character sets a positive example for humanity by commanding attention from people all over the world. Despite her imperfections, the character remains relatable and authentic. The goal was to create a character that is inclusive and inspiring to people of all backgrounds, thus gender was not emphasized.
During the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 11, 2018 in Santa Monica, California, she received an award onstage. However, Gadot didn’t forget to mention the challenges she has encountered in her career. She emphasized that even though Hollywood seems to be making progress, total equality has not been achieved yet.
When I first entered the acting industry, there were hardly any movies with female leads, and even fewer female directors. However, this year, we saw a significant change, with three of the top-grossing films being led by women, one of which was directed by the incredible Patty Jenkins. Additionally, eight other films in the top 100 were directed by women. Even though this marks progress, there is still a long way to go since the percentage of women behind the camera has remained the same over the past two decades. Moving on to the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements, which aim to combat systemic sexual harassment and abuse prevalent in Hollywood and other industries, I am fully committed to supporting these movements.
The recent weeks and months have been witness to a movement within our industry and society, and I would like to share this accolade with all the individuals who firmly support what’s right: advocating for those who lack the voice or ability to stand up for themselves. I promise to you all that I will never be silenced, and we will unite together to make progress towards equality. Additionally, Wonder Woman has received three nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards in categories including costume design, visual effects, and best action movie. Gadot and Jenkins will join forces once again for Wonder Woman 2, which is set to release on November 1, 2019.
