Reader’s Digest UK – August 2019

The Oscar-winning star of Boyhood and True

Romance opens up about ageing in Hollywood,

women’s rights and playing troublesome characters

A

s a champion of equal

rights in an industry that

is notorious for not always

treating women as fairly as men,

Patricia Arquette believes things are

slowly but surely changing. “I think

it’s inch by inch and push by push

but we’re getting there,” says the

actress, noting that her new TV show

The Act is mostly directed by women,

boasts a strong female cast and

plenty of female crew members.

“I’m seeing more women in all

departments,” Arquette smiles, then

adds it’s not just women who are

benefitting from sea changes in

the entertainment industry. “I’m

also glad more people of colour are

Patricia Arquette:

getting opportunities. A lot of time

it’s like, ‘What’s popular right now?

Great, let’s do that again!’ but I think

we should be open to all stories of

humanity. The Marvel thing makes

money so then you have tons of

superhero movies. Everybody jumps

on the same thing, but in television

things are really opening up and in

movies films by black writers and

black directors are winning Best

Picture at the Oscars.”

Now 51 and busier than ever, the

recipient of her own Oscar (for 2014’s

Boyhood) sees ageism as the next

frontier. “What I do miss, honestly,

are older directors and older stories.

AUGUST 2019 • 21

by Simon Button

“Women Want To

Be Heard ”

MICHAEL BUCKNER/DEADLINE/SHUTTERSTOCK